RYAN CHERKI sparked a stir on the bench after being substituted during Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool.
The 22-year-old controversially wore Hugo Ekitike’s shirt while sitting on the sidelines, prompting a member of the City team to step in and tell him to take it off.
The sight didn’t go unnoticed by the broadcast team. Commentator Darren Fletcher said: “That’s going to go down like a lead balloon.”
Meanwhile, co-commentator Ally McCoist added: “Looks like he’s getting a telling off there.”
Cherki had been electric during the match, producing a string of flicks and clever touches as City dominated the game.
The home side raced into a 4-0 lead in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with goals from Erling Haaland, his 28th of his brilliant career and a smart finish from Antonie Semenyo.
City’s fluid attacking display left Liverpool chasing shadows for much of the match.
Mohamed Salah had a chance to get the Reds back into the game but missed a crucial penalty, keeping City firmly in control.
Fans on social media were quick to react to Cherki’s antics.
One wrote: “Ryan Cherki on the bench looking like he’s in trouble already.”
Another added: “Was that a Hugo Ekitike shirt? can’t be true.”
Some supporters focused on his performance rather than the controversy.
One City fan tweeted: “Cherki was a magician out there. All this fuss about a shirt is nothing compared to how he played.”
A few Liverpool fans couldn’t resist a dig: “Cherki’s antics sum up how comfortably City are running this game. 4-0 and he’s getting in trouble on the bench!”
Despite the sideline drama, City’s victory was emphatic, leaving them firmly in the semi-final picture of the FA Cup.
