City Staff Sacked Over Shirt Controversy: "I Only Wanted to Do My Job"

City Staff Sacked Over Shirt Controversy: "I Only Wanted to Do My Job"

A Manchester City hospitality staff member has controversially been dismissed from his position with the club, after a social media complaining about him wearing a Manchester United shirt whilst serving drinks to fans during the recent Manchester derby went viral on Sunday afternoon.

Eric Anderson, the staff member displayed in the photo, has been the subject of debate over social media since the post went out, as Manchester City themselves confirmed online that he had been dismissed from his position.

The 21-year-old, who was working through his first day on the job on Sunday, has spoken to Football Park in the aftermath of his dismissal, stating that he had no intention of wearing the shirt to intentionally "wind up" Manchester City supporters.

"The Only Thing I Wanted Was to Do My Job"

In a now-deleted post to social media platform X, Anderson was shown to be wearing the kit of Manchester United - City's biggest rivals - whilst serving drinks to home fans amidst last Sunday's Manchester Derby - where Manchester City defeated Manchester United 3-0 thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.

The post, wherein the X user behind it branded Anderson's wearing of the shirt as "an absolute joke", was soon responded to by Manchester City themselves, who confirmed that the 21-year-old had been "removed from their position".

The decision to terminate Anderson from his position has been met with controversy across the internet, with some claiming that the man from Tameside, Manchester was wearing the shirt intentionally in a bid to "wind up" City fans, whereas others claimed that the decision to sack Anderson was harsh and unwarranted. Anderson confirmed to Football Park today that his shift during the Manchester Derby was his first day on the job with Manchester City.

Anderson, who operates a YouTube channel under the name Flushest, spoke out to Football Park against the decision for him to be removed from the club, as well as reports from City fans and the wider media that he had worn the shirt intentionally.

"So many people are asking me, "so why did you wear it then?" And I always reply with the same answer: I didn't wear the shirt to get a reaction out of anyone. I only wore it because it was the only thing I had on at the time." Anderson stated.

"When I got to the stadium, nobody said I couldn't wear the shirt, not even security. I thought it was going to be fine, until I was forced out. It was only then that I was told I wasn't allowed to wear the shirt. I even told them that I would take the shirt off, but they didn't give me an option to and they forced me out anyway.

"I just want people to know that the only thing I wanted was to do my job, make a living and go home."

Anderson also revealed to Football Park his disappointment at the media coverage surrounding his dismissal, stating that those online and covering his story had been making false claims about the situation:

"[They are] saying that I wore the shirt on purpose to get a reaction out of people, and that I "purposely unzipped my jacket" when I hadn't. All I was trying to do was get paid and go home at the end of the day."