The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has urged his club’s fans not to invade the pitch if the club wins the 2021-2022 Premier League title.
The Spanish tactician however assured himself that Manchester City’s fans would behave well whether his team wins or loses at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, May 22, 2022.
Pep Guardiola made these comments when reporters asked him to comment on the incident of pitch invasion that was recorded in three different match venues in England during the week. The most pronounced among them was the one that happened at Goodison Park.
Futballnews has reported that after Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored an 85th-minute winner in the league game between Everton and Crystal Palace which ended 3-2 in favor of Everton on Thursday, some Everton fans invaded the pitch.
As if that was not enough, immediately after the referee blew the final whistle, almost all Everton fans in the stands rushed to the pitch to celebrate the club’s survival.
It got so bad that the coach of Crystal Palace, Patrick Vieira was forced into a fight with an Everton fan on the pitch when he was trying to make his way to the restroom.
While reacting to the invasion, Pep Guardiola said: “We have to be careful. What happened at Goodison Park, Port Vale, and the Championship semi-final, there are a lot of emotions and happiness there – some alcohol too.
“It’s dangerous and we have to try to behave as well as possible and have the celebrations at the right moment in the right place. I understand Patrick [Vieira] it’s difficult. You never know how people will react.
“We are not going to talk about it [what happens if City win the title on Sunday], the fans will behave good either winning or losing.”
How Pep Guardiola can help Manchester City win the Premier League title over Liverpool on May 22
Note that Pep Guardiola and his team are currently topping the Premier League table with 90 points in 37 games. They need to beat Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, May 22 to be crowned Champions of the Premier League for the sixth time in the club’s history.
However, if Aston Villa manage to beat Manchester City or even draw with the table leaders, it could open the door for Liverpool to overtake Pep Guardiola and his men.
To ensure that they can take such an advantage (if it ever comes), Liverpool must defeat Wolves at Anfield Stadium on May 22 at 16:00. If Wolves defeat Liverpool, the outcome of City’s game against Villa would be inconsequential and Manchester City would be confirmed Premier League champions for the third time in four years.
"We are new outsiders in the last decade."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 20, 2022
Pep Guardiola insists more people want Liverpool to win the Premier League as they have a greater history of winning titles 🏆pic.twitter.com/NePj44CMfu
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has condemned the pitch invasion which took place at Goodison Park on Thursday. The German tactician noted that pitch invasion is dangerous, especially for the away team.
Klopp said: “In the 83rd minute, some fathers and sons were on, they lose their minds for their sons too, I didn’t get that. It could have been dangerous.
“I’m not sure how you avoid that, I don’t want to judge, I understand emotions but for the other team, it’s dangerous.
“I really hope we learn from that. It’s just like it is. We should make sure absolutely nothing happens. We can celebrate things without threatening ourselves and the opponent.”
