Why do Manchester City fans have inflated bananas in the stands?
The Manchester City fans unfurl inflated bananas in support of their club, also to bring some humour to the environment. | Photo Credit: Reuters
The Manchester City fans unfurl inflated bananas in support of their club, also to bring some humour to the environment. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Since Manchester City was found guilty of 114 out of the 115 charges, the atmosphere around the club has been quite sombre. However, the fans, players and staff have tried in various ways to change the mood.
A win against Liverpool, despite the incessant chants of ‘cheat’ by the Liverpool fans, helped lift the supporters and the club. The fans, for their part, have stuck behind the club and brought some much-needed energy to their matches post the international break.
In the away game at Anfield, the fans brought back the ‘inflatable bananas’ in large numbers to bring some light-hearted humour to the club’s situation. The bananas were also on show during Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad stadium.
READ | Everton vs Chelsea player ratings — Neto brace hands Toffees first defeat of season
The ‘inflatable bananas’ tradition comes from the 1987/88 season, when the Cityzens were demoted to the second division. Then, the fans decided to bring in inflated bananas as a form of banter and to brighten the mood in the stadium. Also, a popular City player Imre Varadi was given the nickname ‘Banana’, which made the bananas became more prevalent in the 80s and 90s as a form of self-depricating humour.
However, by the early 2000s, the bananas were phased out until it resurfaced this week.
“It’s very nice. I didn’t know the history behind the banana, but I hope tomorrow I can see many bananas in the stadium. I think it creates a nice environment for the fans and for everyone that is in the stadium,” said Enzo Maresca, the Manchester City manager, in the press conference before the Premier League match against Ipswich Town.
Published on Oct 17, 2026
Latest on Sportstar
Live Blog 2026-10-17T18:34:28+05:30
ZIM vs BAN LIVE Score, UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026: Zimbabwe posts 271/8 against Bangladesh- Asian Para Games 2026 opening ceremony: When and where to watch LIVE in India, time, and flag-bearers
Live Blog 2026-10-17T18:52:33+05:30
India vs West Indies, 5th T20I LIVE updates: Bhuvneshwar makes IND comeback; WI opts to bowl first
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.