Manchester City have been criticised by football fans on social media after allegedly rejecting their Community Shield runners-up medals on Saturday.The reigning Premier League champions suffered a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.Substitute Julian Alvarez cancelled out Trent Alexander-Arnoldâs first-half opener In the 70th minute, but late goals from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez earned Liverpool the first trophy of the 2022-23 campaign.It was a bad day at the office for Cityâs star summer signing Erling Haaland, who missed several opportunities to score on his competitive debut.The 22-year-oldâs close-range miss shortly before the full-time whistle is likely to give him a sleepless night.LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 30: (L-R) Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez of Manchester City applaud the fans after Liverpool's victory of The FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at The King Power Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Did Man City refuse to collect Community Shield medals?
ITV Sport (per Joe.co.uk and others) claimed Cityâs players chose not to accept the runners-up medals laid out for them.
Indeed, Cityâs players were not seen collecting their medals before Liverpoolâs players lifted the Community Shield.
This went down badly with football fans on social media:
Pep Guardiola: Man City did accept the medals
But City boss Pep Guardiola insisted these accusations were wide of the mark during his post-match interview with ITV.
The interviewer said: âYour players didnât receive their medals, they didnât accept the medalsâ¦â
Guardiola immediately interjected, replying: âOf course we accepted the medals.â
The interviewer responded: âIt wasnât easy to seeâ¦â
Watch Guardiolaâs interview here:
Cityâs players could be forgiven if theyâd preferred not have collected their runners-up medals.
Who knew runners-up medals in a Community Shield were a thing, anyway?
Their focus will now turn to next weekendâs trip to West Ham on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
Liverpool, who are expected to be Cityâs biggest challengers for the league title once more this season, kick-start their campaign away at Fulham next Saturday.