When the Manchester City players walked out onto the pitch in back-to-front Gundogan shirts you could only assume the worst, and it proved to be so. The City players had indeed come out to pay tribute to a player who had torn his ACL.
In one of the most bizarre tributes City weighed up the occasion, decided on the appropriate measure to take and got it horrifically wrong. I mean nothing really warranted the tribute they pulled out. They’re not the only club to have taken something way too far and so here are eight times clubs went way over the top.
Manchester City
Even the death of a monarch wouldn't have warranted such a stoic tribute. Yet City felt a torn cruciate ligament justified the full 'in memorium' service. Five months he'll be out for. Five months. Source: Twitter
Brazil
Similar, but perhaps not as embarrassing as City's tribute, was David Luiz and Julio Cesar walking out in the World Cup semi final holding a Neymar shirt. At least Brazil were perhaps realising that as Neymar fractured his spine, so broke the spine of the team, and gone went their World Cup hopes with him. Source:Twitter
Derby County
One time a club went really over the top was during the 2014/15 season. Following the previous season's heartbreaking play-off loss, the Rams decided to forfeit any win bonuses in favour of a massive £6 million promotion bonus. Sure in principle it would make a great scene in a Hollywood movie, but they forgot a crucial thing. That Derby are the biggest chokers in Football League history and inevitably would lose the final game to miss out on a play-off spot. Source:Twitter
Manchester United
This time maybe more the fault of the manager than the club, but still a great OTT moment nonetheless. During a fairly innocuous draw between United and Swansea in 2012, Robin van Persie took a tumble and ended up on the ground; helpless and unable to defend himself. Then up stepped villain, Ashley Williams, who battered the ball into RVP's head. Or at least that's how events transpired in Sir Alex's head who claimed "He could have killed him". Realistically it was more of a brush than anything, he barely even felt it. Source:Twitter
England
Wayne Rooney will forever be the man who got nights out banned on international duty (there's always one right?. No stranger to controversy, this time though he was most definitely the victim. As raves go this was a pretty tame one; gatecrashing a wedding for a few photos then in bed by 5AM. Footballers have done a lot worse. Source: Twitter
Hull
During this game against Man City in 2008, Phil Brown went full Hollywood. Keeping his players on the pitch during half time he gave a rousing speech in front of the masses in an attempt to inspire a dramatic turnaround. They lost 5-1. Source: Twitter
Wales
To be fair, Wales' performance at Euro 2016 was awesome, and it was great to watch a home nation do well, but guys - you came third. Going out in the semi-finals doesn't warrant an open-top bus parade whoever you are. When you win a tournament have all the parades you want, but until then just enjoy embarrassing the English. Source: Twitter
Liverpool
Perhaps the only thing worse than celebrating coming third with a bus parade is celebrating a draw with West Brom. Jurgen Klopp though, new to the premier league, clearly felt every team holds hands and receives their just applause whenever they get a away point. They don't Jurgen.
Source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: Manchester City have just humiliated Vincent Kompany
Loads of clubs have made some very bad decisions in their time – United payed £28 million for Fellaini after all. Nothing’s more cringeworthy than a poorly judged reaction though, as these clubs have proved.
Start the discussion
Login to comment