Troy Deeney claims the reaction to the vile chants directed at Phil Foden from the Manchester United fans is “a bigger story than it needs to be”. Sections of the Old Trafford crowd made unsavoury comments about Foden’s mum during Sunday’s derby.
The Manchester City star took it well, responding to the home supporters as he sarcastically applauded them, but those connected with him were left disgusted that he had to deal with such treatment whilst on the pitch.
Foden’s mum, Claire, 44, has previously been pictured with the City star when he’s signed contracts and she was mocked by some of the United fans in the Stretford End. Despite the reaction Deeney claimed that the chants are simply “part of the game” as was far less shocked than the majority of others.
The ex-Watford man even claimed that the abusive chants have been blown out of proportion as he said on talkSPORT: “[It is] part of the game, unfortunately. It is what it is, I’ve heard people say things about my kids, wife… you name it.
“Look, I take Pep’s point – it is a reflection on society…. everyone’s relatively glass houses they like to look out and point and say, “you’re rubbish, this and that”. But I also think as well, it’s a derby, people are emotional… you talk about someone’s mum so you never want it to be that.
“It’s just part of football. This, in my opinion, is a bigger story than it needs to be. Watching the game, I didn’t hear it. [On] Match of the day we didn’t do anything on it, unfortunately, it’s the ugly side of this football game. There’s an old saying many many years ago that Gianfranco Zola told me and it was ‘We’re paid to have no feelings’.”
Pep Guardiola certainly didn’t agree as he addressed the chants in the aftermath of the goalless draw at Old Trafford. He accused those responsible of a “lack of class” and claimed that level of abuse is not uncommon throughout the country.
He said: “We are so exposed, the people who are on the screen in world football – managers, owners, and football players especially. Honestly, I don’t understand what goes on in the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed. But it is what it is. It happens everywhere, not just in the UK.”
City sources said the club were “shocked and disgusted” by the chants aimed at Foden, how many fans were involved in the abusive taunt and how often it was sung. The 24-year-old has endured a dip in form this term after being named last season’s PFA Player of the Year.
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