Piers Morgan slams Man City's 'odd mindset' over Foden banana celebration
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Piers Morgan has criticised Phil Foden after the Manchester City midfielder arrived at his post-match interview carrying an inflatable banana in the wake of the club's guilty verdict on 114 Premier League financial charges.
An independent commission found City guilty of the charges, with the club now challenging the verdict and maintaining its innocence through an appeal. The case has become one of the most significant in Premier League history, with City facing a range of potential punishments including a substantial fine, points deductions or even expulsion from the competition.
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City faced Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium in their second home game since the verdict was announced, winning 3-2 with Foden among the scorers after netting the opener. The 26 year old arrived for his post-match interview in high spirits, smiling and waving an inflatable banana before answering questions.
When asked whether he had owned an inflatable banana as a child, Foden replied: “I always had one of these when I was at the stadium.” He added: “I’m going to get one for my son as a present, I think. I think he wanted one, so I can give him one now.”
Bananas becoming a symbol of defiance
The inflatable bananas have become something of a symbol of City's defiance since the verdict, with supporters first spotted holding them during the Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield the previous weekend.
That image did not sit well with Morgan, a well known Arsenal fan, who took to X to respond directly to Foden and City's wider reaction. “City’s players and fans seem to find the fact their club’s been found guilty of the worst cheating in football history, a real lark. Very odd mindset,” he wrote, as reported by football.london.
Foden has insisted the charges have had no bearing on the squad's focus. “It hasn't affected us one bit,” he said. “We've just stuck together, just did what we normally do and focus on the games one by one and just be ourselves. I think we've done that really well.”
He continued: “We have great characters and leaders in the changing room. Nothing's changed. We're just fully focused and trying to do the best for the fans that we can.”
What comes next for City
The independent commission will determine the appropriate sanctions at a subsequent hearing, with speculation continuing over the possibility of points deductions or even relegation should the findings stand. City's rivals, including plenty within Arsenal's fanbase, will be watching closely as the appeal process unfolds.
For now, the inflatable bananas look set to remain a feature of City's matchdays, whatever the final outcome of the case turns out to be.
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