A viral image sparks controversy

Manchester City made a drastic move after an unusual incident during the latest Manchester derby, where the Sky Blues defeated Manchester United 3-0 with a brace from Erling Haaland and a goal from Phil Foden. A waiter was caught serving drinks at the Etihad Stadium while wearing the jersey of the Red Devils, and the photo quickly went viral on social media.

The image of the employee working in the rival’s shirt spread rapidly across online platforms, causing outrage among City supporters. The club promptly responded and, through an official statement on its social media channels, confirmed that the individual had been “removed from their position,” also thanking fans who flagged the situation.

Debate over workplace neutrality

The incident reignited debate about impartiality in workplaces connected to sports. Just last week, a labor judge in Croydon, London, suggested during a case that an employer could lawfully decide not to hire a “die-hard” Tottenham Hotspur supporter if the office was “full of Arsenal fans,” in order to maintain workplace harmony.

Judge Daniel Wright explained: “There are times when a company can legally decide that someone will not fit well into a team, and therefore it will be difficult to work together. One example could be a small office where everyone is a passionate Arsenal fan, and the company chooses another Arsenal supporter over a Tottenham fan with similar skills to preserve harmony.”

However, this case involved not a hiring decision, but the dismissal of a worker for an act that occurred inside the stadium itself, during one of the most heated rivalries in English football between City and United.

The episode highlights how club loyalty and fan identity can extend beyond the pitch, sometimes creating immediate professional consequences in the football industry, where the passion for colors is often non-negotiable.