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Coventry fans’ post-game support upstages Man United fans

Written by Jamie Barton
Last Update: April 23, 2024
Published on

As far as FA Cup semi-final wins at Wembley go, there can’t be many more embarrassing than Manchester United’s penalty victory over Championship side Coventry City.

3-0 up with 20 minutes to go, United somehow managed to surrender their lead, with Haji Wright scoring a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to, incredibly, take the game into extra time.

Coventry’s Victor Torp thought he’d scored the winner in the final moments, but VAR overturned the goal and the Red Devils won on penalties.

But from the reactions of both players and fans (Antony aside!), you would not have been able to guess who had won and who had lost. While Coventry fans made the most of their Wembley trip, United supporters were quick to scarper after – and even before – the final whistle.

coventry
Coventry City fans at Wembley for one of the biggest games in the club's history. Photo by Icon Sport

Hilarious video shows Manchester United fans trying to re-enter Wembley

When Torp’s strike hit the back of the net, United fans thought they had their humiliation was complete. Some put their heads in their hands. Others headed for the exits.

One hilarious video shows those United supporters, realising the goal had been overturned and the score remained at 3-3, sprinting back to Wembley in an attempt to re-enter the stadium.

Those fans will have been disappointed – article 24 of Wembley’s Ground Regulations clearly and simply state “There is no re-admission to the Ground.”

This means that those who left early will have been forced to watch United’s progression to the FA Cup final, a feat their manager Erik ten Hag called “a huge achievement”, from a nearby pub or on their phones.

At least it will likely be the last time they leave the ground early.

Photos and videos show Coventry fans staying well beyond the final whistle

In contrast, even in defeat the Coventry supporters were keen to show their team and manager the support that their performance in this game and the season as a whole deserved.

It has been quite the ride for the Sky Blues but you could have forgiven them for leaving after the harsh – if probably correct – way that VAR took away one of the biggest goals in the club’s history.

But they did not leave, and you have to take your hat off to them.