A glitch on Google Maps trolled Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s comments on poor attendance has caused anger amongst his own fans
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Manchester 6-1 Wycombe: Pep Guardiola post match
Manchester City found themselves the butt of a Google Maps prank to rub further salt in Etihad wounds.
When users searched “empty seats” on the popular navigation platform it would return the Etihad Stadium as the result.
This comes just days after Guardiola became embroiled in a row with the club’s supporters after calling on them to attend the clash with Southampton over last weekend.
Following City’s thrilling 6-3 win over RB Leipzig, almost a third of the stadium was empty
After the victory Guardiola said: “The last three games we’ve played here we’ve scored 16 goals.
“I would like more people to come to the next game on Saturday. We need the people, please, because we will be tired.
“I know the team from Ralph [Hasenhuttl] is quite similar, the way they play. They’re so dangerous and it’s a really important game.
“So I invite all our people to come next Saturday at 3pm to watch.”
Guardiola’s comments were branded as insensitive by Kevin Parker, the general secretary of City’s official supporters’ club.
Parker suggested that Guardiola should “stick” to coaching because he “doesn’t understand the difficulties” supporters face.
Guardiola doubled down and refused to apologise, instead insisting he had been misunderstood by the fans.
His comments seemingly worked because the 0-0 draw against Southampton had a near capacity crowd.
Guardiola added: “I am not going to apologise for what I said. What I said was we need the support.
“It doesn’t matter how many people come but I invite them to come and enjoy the game because we need the support.
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Image:
BBC Sport)
“When people are not happy with me I will leave, that is for sure.”
But on Tuesday night, only 30,959 City fans attended their side’s 6-1 drubbing of Wycombe in the League Cup.
This was despite some tickets costing £12.50.
Fans online have been enjoying the glitch at City’s expense, with one saying: “If you type empty seats into Google Maps it genuinely comes up with the Etihad. City are getting trolled by Google.”
Another added: “I just typed in ’empty seats’ on Google maps and I can’t believe I haven’t noticed sooner.”
Guardiola wanted more from fans, after poor turnouts to home games despite City recording high-scoring wins.
