Champions League: Masterstroke move by Manchester City owners
Manchester City are still in the running for the majestic treble this season but they must win the big one, the very big one, the UEFA Champions League.
Having already won the Premier League with games to spare and having already won the trophy that doesn’t leave the Etihad at all, the EFL Cup, the Blues from Manchester are gearing up for a moment they’ve been chasing since the new owners took over back in 2008.
They are within touching distance of finally getting their hands on that elusive Champions League gold medal and for the first time in their club’s history, they will play in a Champions League final where they go up against Premier League foes Chelsea.
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Thankfully, adding to the specialness of the moment that Man City and their fans are experiencing for the first time, supporters are back in stadiums. A massive plus on a night where teams need their 12th man.
Manchester City owners making it extra special for their fans
To make certain their fans get the best experience and get to that experience of a lifetime, the owners of Manchester City Football Club will relieve some of the financial burdens imposed on people due to the after-effects of COVID-19.
It was reported on the club’s website a few days back that His Highness Sheikh Mansour will pay for all the travelling and other costs for all those attending the game.
From Manchester City’s website:
"Manchester City FC has announced that His Highness Sheikh Mansour will fund the flight and transfer costs for the Official Club trip to the Champions League Final in Porto at the end of the month.Thousands of City supporters will benefit from the initiative which is designed to ease the financial pressure on fans who have faced – and are still facing – challenging circumstances due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. (Via: mancity.com)"
Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour will pay for the flights and travel costs of City fans attending the #UCLfinal in Porto next week.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 18, 2021
“[It’s] incredibly important that as many fans as possible have the opportunity to attend this special game” pic.twitter.com/UvwwDwKTb7
Manchester City’s final against Chelsea
For now, barring any late changes due to the pandemic, the Champions League that was scheduled to be played in Istanbul, Turkey, will now be played out in Porto, Portugal, at the Estádio do Dragão.
The club’s own Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak feels that fans face a difficult time not only because of financial restraints but because of the logistic nightmare faced with so many travelling restrictions in place worldwide.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said on the situation:
"The challenges faced by supporters ahead of this final are multiple, both in financial and logistical terms.Hopefully His Highness’ initiative allows the majority of our attending fans to focus on enjoying the day rather than worrying about how to bear the burden of travel costs which have become all the more onerous due to the effects of the pandemic. (Via: mancity.com)"
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This is a masterstroke move by the club’s decision-makers and it will only benefit Pep Guardiola and the boys in their quest for Manchester City’s first-ever Champions League triumph.