Manchester City fans have right to boo Champions League anthem: Manuel​ Pellegrini

Vincent Kompany said that it is a joke that UEFA is investigating City.

Seville: Manchester City's coach Manuel Pellegrini has said the English football club's supporters have the right to voice their displeasure of the Champions League anthem.

The club were reported after supporters booed the anthem before their 2-1 win at home over Spanish side Sevilla on October 22.

On Tuesday, City face Sevilla in the second leg here.

"I think everyone has the right to boo or protest on different things," Pellegrini was quoted as saying by the BBC on Monday.

"If they boo then they feel there's something UEFA is not doing right."

Club captain Vincent Kompany on Sunday said that it is a joke that European football's governing body UEFA is investigating City.

"There is nothing holy about the Champions League anthem," said the Belgium defender.

"We have played many games in Europe where there has been racial abuse - we have had to put up with it."

The City fans have been frequently booing the anthem over the past year. The case will be taken up at a meeting of UEFA’s disciplinary body on November 19 and a punishment could follow for English Premier League giants.