A total of £9,357 will be refunded to travelling fans, many of whom flew through Oslo en route to Bodo and endured sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle.
Manchester City have confirmed that they will refund supporters who travelled to Norway for Wednesday’s 3-1 Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt.
The club’s players released a statement through their leadership group, led by Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland, acknowledging the difficult evening and promising to cover the cost of the tickets, Mail Online reports.
Erling Haaland described the performance as “embarrassing” after City were beaten by the Norwegian side, with Rodri sent off for two bookings in under a minute during the second half.
The result followed a 2-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford four days earlier, and leaves City having won only two of their last seven matches across all competitions.
A total of £9,357 will be refunded to travelling fans, many of whom flew through Oslo en route to Bodo and endured sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle.
“Our supporters mean everything to us,” the players’ statement said. “We know the sacrifice that our fans make when they travel across the world to support us home and away and we will never take it for granted.
“They are the best fans in the world. We also recognise that it was a lot of travelling for the fans who supported us in the freezing cold throughout a difficult evening for us on the pitch.
“Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.
“We’re ready to fight on Saturday for our game against Wolves and then again next Wednesday when we face Galatasaray in front of our amazing fans at the Etihad.”
Haaland also retweeted the statement and vowed the team would improve.
“We couldn't let your support go unanswered,” he posted. “Now we have to turn this around together.”
Only 374 City fans were inside Aspmyra Stadion to witness one of the biggest shocks in Champions League history.
Kevin Parker, speaking for the official supporters club, praised the gesture and said fans were ready to back the team again at the Etihad.
“City fans will travel to the ends of the earth to support our team,” he said.
“Bodo is not an easy place to get to, and the temperatures made it a challenging evening on a number of levels for our fans.
“The City support has an incredible connection with the players on a matchday, and this gesture is yet another reminder of that relationship – it means a lot to us.
“We know that the players are disappointed with the defeat to Bodo, but with our next game at home on Saturday there's a chance to get back to winning ways and our fans will be in full voice.”