Liverpool legend left red-faced after UEFA and Manchester City block stadium access for Champions League clash | OneFootball

UEFA and Manchester City opted to block Liverpool legend and CBS Sports pundit Jamie Carragher’s access to the Borussia Dortmund away section on Wednesday night.

Carragher – who has developed a reputation for light-hearted antics during European match coverage – had planned to soak up the atmosphere among Borussia Dortmund’s travelling supporters at the Etihad Stadium before working on CBS’ post-match broadcast.

The former Liverpool defender had joined Dortmund fans on their pre-match walk from Manchester city centre to the stadium; filmed laughing, holding up a yellow club scarf, and posing with a flare as part of his CBS feature.

The experience and footage recalled his viral appearance in 2024 during Borussia Dortmund’s famed Yellow Wall during their semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. However this time, Carragher’s adventure was cut short before kick-off.

According to a new report from MailSport’s Mike Keegan, Jamie Carragher planned to join Borussia Dortmund fans in the away section at the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League clash with Manchester City, but was stopped from doing so amid safety concerns.

From the side of UEFA, it is claimed that the view from European football’s governing body was that Carragher’s media credentials on the night did not stretch to him swapping the press area for the stands of the stadium.

As for Manchester City, they believed that the presence of a former Liverpool player in the away end and supporting the opposition ‘would not have been the wisest move’ and could have caused a problem. 

The prospect of Carragher interviewing members of Pep Guardiola’s squad in the Etihad Stadium tunnel after supporting their opponents for 90 minutes was also deemed ‘unpalatable’, according to the report.

Jamie Carragher later told CBS colleagues Kate Abdo, Micah Richards and Thierry Henry that he had “a great walk in” with the Borussia Dortmund supporters and praised their energy ahead of the match.

“They’re enjoying themselves, looking forward to the game and a little bit worried about Erling Haaland,” he said. “But they’ve got their own man up front in Guirassy, who we think might cause a problem or two.”

From Manchester City’s perspective, the decision was largely about maintaining order and protecting reputations within what was expected to be a highly-charged UEFA Champions League atmosphere.

While Carragher’s presence would almost certainly have generated social media buzz, officials were keen to avoid any potential controversy involving a former Liverpool player visibly cheering on their European opponents at the Etihad Stadium.

As for CBS Sports, the American broadcaster is unlikely to abandon such stunts altogether. Carragher’s interactions have become a regular part of their coverage, however this latest episode in Manchester may see requests handled more cautiously by host clubs and UEFA.