Manchester City players appeared on the grass showing off "Laporte" and his number "14" on their backs during the warm-up ahead of their Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.
Despite the 2-0 win, City footballers have been criticised by rival fans on Twitter over the team’s “show of solidarity” to defender Aymeric Laporte who had a knee injury last month.
Many perceived it as nothing but a “tribute” to Laporte who they recalled was “injured” and had not “passed away.”
You’d think he’s dead ffs
— Tom (@thomas_dalglish) October 1, 2019
“That's actually embarrassing”, one user insisted, while others claimed that it was "a bit weird" and “pathetic”.
That's a bit weird chaps.
— Patrick McNicholas (@PatMcNicholas) October 1, 2019
— Damien Gilchrist (@GilDamo81) October 1, 2019
When did he die?
— James Challis (@Chall2007) October 1, 2019
When did he die?
— James Challis (@Chall2007) October 1, 2019
— Callum⚽️ (@callumLtfc) October 1, 2019
He’s not dead, these lot need to calm down
— Aadam (@aadamcfc10) October 1, 2019
Embarrassing 🙈
— Mark (@MarkPizuti) October 1, 2019
How pathetic 😂
— Copeeeeey (@Copey_S) October 1, 2019
He’s injured, he hasn’t passed away
— Sam_ (@SavageSissoko) October 1, 2019
Weirdest footy team about
— Sonny maddox (@Sonnymaddox14) October 1, 2019
Last year, Manchester City sealed the whopping £57 million (almost $70 million) signing of Laporte, who had knee surgery in Barcelona in September after he damaged the cartilage and lateral meniscus in his right knee during a previous game against Brighton.
With recovery time ranging from weeks to months, Laporte is expected back in January at the earliest.
