Manchester City have been sharply criticised by China’s state-run press agency for its “arrogance” during its appearance at the Premier League Asia Trophy last week.
City recently competed alongside Newcastle, Wolves and West Ham in the pre-season tournament, losing on penalties to Wolves in Saturday’s final in Shanghai.
The club had probably hoped to build its Asian fanbase on the back of its record-breaking season, when it won all three domestic trophies, especially as the Chinese Media Capital consortium bought a 13% stake in City Football Group in 2015.
But the club has received a major dressing-down in an editorial carried on Xinhua’s English language website, with the headline “Chinese fans’ love for Man City goes unreciprocated on home soil”.
It suggests that City’s trip was primarily driven by commercial obligations, rather than a desire to engage with local fans.
It reads: “For the Premier League champions, their appearance in China was nothing more than a commercial obligation, and their lack of enthusiasm and the indifferent treatment of their hosts stands in stark contrast to representatives of other clubs.
