Why Man Utd fans were given free scarves to mock Man City ahead of Premier League verdict

Manchester City travel across the city to face United at Old Trafford, with the home supporters mocking their neighbours over the ongoing hearing

A bookmaker was behind the distribution of hundreds of Manchester United scarves mocking their rivals Manchester City. The two cross-city rivals meet at Old Trafford on Sunday for the second meeting between the sides this season.

City, the current Premier League champions, face United with the hearing into more than 100 charges of alleged financial breaches set to reach its conclusion. Etihad bosses have strongly denied the charges and believe they will be vindicated by the imminent verdict.

But ahead of an official announcement, United fans will be given a chance to take a cheeky dig at their foes. Bookmaker, Midnite is giving away 500 free scarves highlighting each charge before Sunday’s match.

The scarf giveaway comes as City’s court hearing is expected to conclude soon, casting uncertainty over their recent successes, including their four consecutive Premier League titles.

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Midnite’s spokesperson explained: “The Manchester derby is one of the biggest fixtures in the Premier League calendar, and with the imminent announcement of Manchester City’s long-awaited court hearing, it could be an even bigger affair than normal. This may well be a historic week in Manchester’s footballing history, and we wanted to create a keepsake for fans in attendance.”

City have consistently denied any financial wrongdoings, but potential penalties for any proven misconduct could range from points deductions and hefty fines to even relegation and expulsion from the Premier League if the most serious charges are upheld, reports the Manchester Evening News.

There are no fixed guidelines for possible punishments, which is why the options of relegations and expulsions have been mentioned. City would have the right to appeal any decision they were unhappy with to prompt a fresh hearing, but cannot take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

City boss Pep Guardiola has largely kept his counsel throughout the hearing, but did suggest he would give his true feelings when a verdict is reached.

Speaking in February, he said: “In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence,” he said. “After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far.”

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