Tevez sparks controversy with ‘RIP Fergie’ banner

MANCHESTER - Agence France-Presse

Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez holds a banner in shape of a tombstone for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson during Manchester City’s celebrations.

Carlos Tevez landed himself in fresh controversy on May 14 when he was pictured waving a mocked-up tombstone for Sir Alex Ferguson during Manchester City’s Premier League title celebrations. 

The 28-year-old Argentina striker held up a banner designed to look like a gravestone and bearing the words ‘RIP Fergie’ as City celebrated its title triumph over Manchester United during an open-top bus parade.

Manchester City later released a statement apologizing to Ferguson while Tevez also said he “didn`t mean any disrespect”.

There was speculation it could have been a reference to a comment made by Ferguson in 2009 when he was asked whether United would ever be underdogs to its city rival.

“Not in my lifetime,” the United manager said. 

Tevez left Manchester United in 2009 and joined City.