Furious City release statement after incendiary Porto words

Manchester City have slammed a Porto newsletter that was critical of a couple of their players.

City were held to a goalless draw by Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday evening despite having 18 shots to two.

Pep Guardiola was more than satisfied with the performance of his players in a result that secured their qualification as winners of Group C.

But City were left aghast by a newsletter released by Porto to their fans, which accused Fernandinho of ‘lacking class’ and mentioned Bernardo Silva’s FA ban and fine for tweeting a comparison of teammate Benjamin Mendy that ‘included reference, whether expressed or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin’.

“This is not the first time that Porto have reacted badly in circumstances like this,” a Manchester City spokesperson told Sky Sports.

“On this occasion it is the ill-judged and targeted criticism of some of our individual players and indeed our manager, which we wholly reject.

“In 2012, the last season we encountered them, it was the denial by the club of clear racist behaviour of their fans for which they were investigated and fined. In this context, this latest outburst is almost as surprising as it is disappointing.”

Porto manager Sergio Conceicao also called out City before and after the draw, saying: “If I had his budget, his players, and still couldn’t get a win, I’d be sad too.”

Guardiola had taken offence to the suggestion from Conceicao that he and his coaching staff pressured the referee in City’s 3-1 win in October’s reverse fixture.

“We are not the type of team to do this, honestly,” he said. “I would admit it.

“So one thing is an action that you don’t agree [with], you can make any comment, one specific action. But it’s not a part of who we are, honestly.

“In the five years we are here together and the people in Germany and Spain know completely that it speaks for itself, our behaviour.

“I’m not agreeing. It’s not true.”