Man City condemn alleged racist abuse of Rico Lewis by Sevilla fans as two arrests made

Man City condemn alleged racist abuse of teenage defender Rico Lewis by Sevilla fans as two arrests are made after the Champions League game.

Two of the Spanish club’s supporters were taken into police custody after it was reported the full-back was subjected to racist abuse on Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium.

It is alleged the incident happened as the player walked past the away fans after being substituted off during the closing stages of the match.

City released an official statement via their club website on Thursday evening, condemning the behaviour of the travelling fans and pledging their support for Lewis.

@SevillaFC_ENG bunch of racist cunts, ban the lot of them, constant monkey gestures towards rico lewis and city fans, shocking policing and stewarding from city too pic.twitter.com/JjYyV2Dgcv

— Aaron (@Aaron2k19) November 3, 2022

MAN CITY STATEMENT:

Manchester City strongly condemns the racist abuse that Rico Lewis was subject to from Sevilla supporters at yesterday’s match.

We understand that two arrests have been made and are continuing to work with Sevilla and GMP to investigate this matter.

We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind at our stadium and will be offering our full support to Rico following these vile incidents.

17-year-old Rico Lewis gets a standing ovation from the South Stand after scoring his first senior goal for the club.

“Rico, Rico, Rico” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/SRvyXfBQYZ

— Tom Young (@TomYoungSJ) November 2, 2022

The Mancunian teenager, who didn’t turn 18 until later this month, made his first professional start in midweek and became the youngest player to score on their maiden start in the Champions League.

The England under-19 international hit home a first-time finish into the roof of the net in the 52nd minute to pull Man City level and set the home side on their way to a 3-1 victory.

He was later taken off in place of Joao Cancelo with five minutes left on the clock after picking up a knock, before the alleged instance of racist abuse took place.

Lewis has made five appearances for Man City so far this season, including three substitute appearances in the Prem against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Southampton, having joined the club at the age of eight.

Capable of playing at left-back and in defensive midfield, the right-back could hardly contain himself after finding the net, with fans loving his reaction to finding the back of the net on his first senior start for City.

Rico Lewis vs Sevilla (H) 💎 pic.twitter.com/t16utYocNY

— RN (@rnvidss) November 2, 2022

Man City: Ortega (7), Laporte (7), Lewis (8), Dias (7), Sergio Gomez (7), Gundogan (7), Palmer (6), Foden (7), Mahrez (7), Alvarez (8), Grealish (7)

Subs used: Rodri (7), De Bruyne (8), Silva (7), Wilson-Esbrand (7), Cancelo (N/A)

Sevilla: Bono (6), Montiel (6), Carmona (6), Marcao (6), Rekik (6), Acuna (6), Gomez (7), Rakitic (6), Delaney (6), Isco (6), Mir (8)

Subs used: Telles (6), Gudelj (6), Suso (6), Jordan (6), Lamela (6)

Man of the match: Rico Lewis

Guardiola said: “In the first half we were there but we struggled to attack as we played a right footer on the left and left footer on the right so you go inside and it becomes difficult against five at the back. In the second half with Sergio Gomez on the left and Rico Lewis on the right we felt we had more presence in the final third. It’s good as of course we have qualified but we finished well and the money for the club is important. It was a good night for us, especially in the second half.”

Guardiola on the production line coming from the academy: “The academy is working amazingly since Jadon Sancho, Brahim Diaz, Phil Foden, James McAtee, Cole Palmer, there are many talents. The guys that want to stay here and fight for their position, they have a chance. If they are not patient and listen to the agents more, then they can leave, no problem. You saw the reaction from the crowd that people are so pleased to have players from the academy playing for us. They can help us as they have quality.”

🗣 “We don’t give presents here. You have to earn it.”

Pep Guardiola on what it takes for the young players like Rico Lewis to break through at Manchester City pic.twitter.com/LsuCla6oDf

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 3, 2022

Pep Guardiola hailed Rico Lewis as “something special” after the teenager became Manchester City’s youngest Champions League goalscorer.

“We don’t give presents because he is a Man City fan or from the academy,” said City manager Guardiola. “You have to earn it.

“But we’ve seen him since day one of pre-season. This guy has something special.

“Defensively he is aggressive and with the ball he is so good. Of course he has a lot to improve but the academy here is working amazingly.”

“He made a standing ovation all the way round,” said Guardiola. “He played really good.

“He is 17 years old but he is so clever, so intelligent. You say something, he understands everything. I’m happy for him.”

Fans alerting stewards and police about racist chants from Sevilla fans to Rico Lewis. @gmpolice are stood there doing sweet fuck all.

We’re reporting it @ManCity and the police aren’t doing anything. What more can we do? @kickitout #saynotoracism pic.twitter.com/HtG7g3zxoo

— Daine (@Gidge11) November 2, 2022

Twitter users reacted as Man City condemn alleged racist abuse of Rico Lewis by Sevilla fans as two arrests are made…

@haalandstones: this is so awful. rico had an insane performance, hats off to him for such a gorgeous debut

@CursedAlinkc: Disgusting good they got arrested stay strong Rico 💙

@DylanTa47979106: Fully grown men racially abusing a 17 year old for being good a football. Sick.

@Ma77Austin: If you give someone any sort of abuse, you’re a scum, let alone racism. Disgusting.

@niall25254: @Ricolewis keep your head very high mate 💙💙 absolute baller.. excited to follow your career with you!! As a 17 year old myself I find this proper vile.. Stay strong

@newyorkskyblues: Suffice to say, we join @ManCity in strongly condemning the racist abuse towards @RicoIewis yesterday. We stand with Rico, and hope that the everyone responsible will be harshly punished.

 

@Paul__Dawkins: Good on City for backing Rico Lewis so quickly. Having the biggest day of your career (and life) tarnished with racist abuse isn’t something he’ll ever forget. I don’t trust the Spanish FA to crack down on Sevilla or it’s fans as forcefully as they should unless UEFA demands it.

@Gidge11: Good to see the club acknowledging what happened and making noise on it.

@joseph9320_: the lads 17 for gods sake he shouldn’t be getting this abuse in fact nobody should

@olimccoole: Rico Lewis is the man. Racism must be rooted out and incidents like this need to wake UEFA up in realising pithy fines and part stadium closures won’t do it.

@djwskyblu: At least @SevillaFC_ENG have acknowledged the racist abuse of @ManCity Rico Lewis, and set out its intention to take action against those involved. Not all clubs would have acted in such forthright fashion, so well done Sevilla for not hiding behind any ambiguous language.

@RochardDockinso: Racist chants are never right, but its even worse hes just 17 years old! 17 years of age, making his debut and thats how hes gonna remember it! Absolutely fucking disgusting! Ban every single one of them if proven guilty!

@kirstblair: After the amazing game Rico had, and how excited he was with that AMAZING goal, that he had to be subjected to this kind of abuse?! So infuriating

@jakejenner07: Disgraceful from the @SevillaFC_ENG ‘fans’. You’re not true fans 🤮🤮

@citehzen1: Omg this is terrible. That poor baby. Sending him all my love ❤️❤️❤️

@NettyCiteh: Ffs what is wrong with people 🙄😳