Pep Guardiola has condemned the Manchester City supporters who showed a severe lack of respect for the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster ahead of today's FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
Both sets of players were stood in arms on either side of the centre circle as those inside Wembley paused to remember the lives of those sadly lost, though referee Michael Oliver was forced to bring the planned minute's silence to a premature end after a section of City supporters began chanting.
Liverpool fans responded to this by booing those who decided to act in this manner, meanwhile a club statement was later released regarding this incident. It read: “Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before today’s game. The Club sincerely apologises to all those connected with Liverpool Football Club.”
VERDICT: Liverpool may have just dealt Man City lasting damage after turning Wembley red again
READ MORE: Man City release statement apologising to Liverpool after supporters disrupt Hillsborough silence
YOUR SHOUT: Rate the Liverpool players after their 3-2 win vs Man City in the FA Cup Semi-Final
Echoing this sentiment when speaking after the game, Guardiola also expressed his disappointment over the pre-match incident. He said: "I think Manchester City made a statement. This is not Manchester City. We are close to Liverpool club for the tragedy that happened years ago. We are alongside them. After these guys singing (it) doesn't represent what we are."
Liverpool were 3-2 winners on the day courtesy of goals from Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane, despite being put under pressure as a result of second half strikes by Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva. Much was made of City's team selection on the day, particularly the decision to start Zack Steffen ahead of Ederson.
Steffen committed a fatal error during the first half, enabling Mane to score, but Guardiola believes the American will 'learn' from this costly mistake.
"It was an accident. One of the strong points is try to play [out] and as a keeper he has this quality. It was an accident and he will learn for the future. When the ball is there it can always happen.I have spoken with the team not him personally but he is strong."
