Referee Michael Oliver cut short a intended celebration ahead of the FA Cup semi-final between City and Liverpool at Wembley after some City fans did not pay their respects. The rumors seemed to come from the end that hosted the City fans and was followed by disapproval from the Liverpool fans. Amid the noise, Oliver whistled to signal an early end to the predicted period of silence. A City spokesman said: “Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City fans during the one-minute silence before today’s game. “The club sincerely apologizes to all those associated with the Liverpool Football Club.” Ninety-seven Liverpool fans were killed in the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Hillsborough on 15 April 1989. Speaking after Liverpool’s 3-2 victory at Wembley, Klopp said that the actions of a few did not represent Manchester City as a whole and accepted the apology issued. “We would never have believed that this was Manchester City,” said the Liverpool boss. “There were some who did not understand the situation and that is not nice, they felt very wrong at the time. But that has nothing to do with City and of course we apologize.” Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola reiterated Klopp’s sentiment, adding: “The club has made a statement on behalf of Manchester City and we apologize. “It does not represent who we are and what we want to be. The Liverpool Football Club has lived through this incredible tragedy. The club’s statement perfectly reflects who we are.”
