Manchester City are likely to face a Football Association charge after Victor Lindelof was struck by an object from the crowd in Saturday’s showdown against Manchester United.
City dominated the early stages having scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history through Ilkay Gundogan (13 seconds).
The Red Devils were handed a chance to equalize in the 33rd minute when Jack Grealish was adjudged to have been guilty of a handball offence.
Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot and celebrated in front of the Man City fans by sliding on his knees and covering his ears with his hands in his usual way.
As his teammates moved to congratulate him, Lindelof was hit in the face by what seems to be a cigarette lighter launched from the stands.
But, Lindelof wasn’t badly hurt and was able to continue and City will now wait until referee Paul Tierney’s match report before knowing their fate.
Someone from the stands hit Lindelof (with a lighter?) when Man United players were celebrating Bruno Fernandes’ equalizer. #FACupFinal
— Reyi (@Reinaldodcg9) June 3, 2023
‘That’s so wrong,’ said former Manchester City and Man United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.
‘That’s bad and I’m not blaming it because it’s Manchester City supporters. It’s somebody and we are at the Manchester City end and they were celebrating in front of the Manchester City fans.
‘They should be big enough, they are winning enough to understand it’s OK to go 1-1, they shouldn’t react like that.
‘That’s terrible and that should have consequences. I hope they find the guy or the girl, whoever did that.’
