DAVID SILVA has begged Manchester City fans NOT to give him guard of honour after police scuppered plans for 2,000 supporters to line streets.
Thursday night’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid will be the final match to be played at the Etihad this season.
David Silva has urged fans to stay at home for Man City’s game against Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Man City lead the last-16 tie 2-1 from the first leg at the Bernabeu.
And if they progress, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will all be played on neutral soil, in Portugal.
With club legend Silva leaving the club this month, fans had hoped to give him the hero’s farewell he deserves in their final home game of 2019.
Silva has been linked with moves to Serie A giants Lazio – in a deal worth £52,000 a week AND an “elegant house” – and Qatari side Al-Sadd.
Man City fan group, WeAre1894, had planned to line the streets to pay tribute to their departing star.
But that has now been cancelled, with Silva thanking fans for the sweet gesture AND the “right decision”.
Silva tweeted: “I am touched our fans planned a guard of honour for me tonight.
“But cancelling is the right decision in the circumstances.
“We will say goodbye together at the right time when it is safe.
“Enjoy the match at home!”
Fans had planned to line the streets to give Silva, a club legend, a guard of honourCredit: Getty Images – Getty
‘TOO DIFFICULT’
And WeAre1894 confirmed the ceremony had been cancelled, taking to Facebook to say: “GUARD OF HONOUR CANCELLATION.
“This evening there has been further discussions between ourselves, Manchester City and representatives from Greater Manchester Police.
“Further information has come to light and that, coupled with an anticipated high turnout (possibly 2,000 supporters), all parties have come to the decision that guard of honour for David Silva shouldn’t go ahead…
“It may be too difficult to enforce safe social distancing in the local community.
“This is immensely disappointing for a lot of supporters.
Fans had planned to line the streets around the Etihad before the Champions League gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“Many [fans] had booked afternoons off work, made plans to help us with litter picking, offering to hand out sanitiser and to become marshals for the day but also to mark out social distance guidance on the pavement in chalk along the 0.7 mile route.
“Please could you share to as many Blues as possible.
“Like we say this has ultimately ended up being a joint decision taken by all parties after all the information has been discussed.”
Man City legend David Silva in shock transfer talks with Serie A side Lazio
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
