Manchester City and Chelsea fans will travel to the Portuguese city on May 29 to meet in the all-English final after original host city Istanbul missed a second year in a row due to a worsening of the Covid-19 situation in Turkey, and it looks like half of the 12,000 English fans expected in Porto later this month may have some pocket money after Sheikh Mansour, the billionaire owner of the Manchester club , revealed that he was to finance the trip of the 6,000 City fans who would attend.

The move comes after speculation that Wembley Stadium was on line to serve as a potential host for European football’s flagship match, but following discussions between UEFA and the UK government, it was decided that the non-compliance with quarantine rules for support staff, media and VIPs meant the idea. was impossible.

The news was a disappointment for City’s contingent of 6,000 travelers, but Sheikh Mansour – who is considered the owner of the richest football club in the world – says it’s on him.

“Pep and the team have had such a remarkable season and reaching the Champions League final after a very difficult year represents a truly historic moment for the club.“He said in a statement.

“It is therefore extremely important that as many fans as possible have the opportunity to attend this special match. Especially those who have supported Manchester City through good times and bad for so many years. ”

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The move was co-signed by Manchester City president Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who stressed that the financial difficulties of fans having to plan to travel to see their club’s biggest game in the midst of a global pandemic were naturally problematic.

“The challenges facing supporters ahead of this final are manifold, both in financial and logistical terms.,” he said.

“Hopefully His Highness’s initiative allows the majority of our fans in attendance to focus on the fun of the day rather than worrying about how to bear the burden of travel expenses which have become all the more onerous in the past. due to the effects of the pandemic.. ”

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However, some fans (and probably not those who get free travel to Portugal) have called the move a cynical ploy to curry favor with the club’s support base after their hugely unpopular decision to become one of the founding members of the Super. European in ruins. League.

Man City (and Chelsea, for that matter) were the first England sides to pull out of the unpopular project which has drawn the wrath of fans and media alike – and some fans have suggested the move was little more than an exercise in public relations. to rally fans.

One fan noted online that it comes just four weeks after Mansour “tried to sell the soul of the club“, something that another fan claims”people forgot“.

Another fan, however, focused on the Chelsea owner and wondered if he would follow suit.

“Your move, Abramovich,” they wrote.