Midfielder of Manchester City, James Mcatee, refused to sign a fan's shirt after he had seen a Sheffield Wednesday badge on his coat, which was produced for criticism for the child's birthday.
McATEE, 22, brought the last two seasons on loan through Sheffield United and made himself loved by Blades fans after he had fired them for promotion in 2023. He is back in his parent club this period and scored his first Premier League goal in the 6-0 victory of City at Ipswich.
The international under-21 of England was an unused replacement when City Club Brugge defeated on Wednesday to seal a place in the play-off round of the Champions League. After the game he was greeted by a group of fans while leaving the Etihad stage by car.
While the vehicle slows down, McATEE begins to hand over a city shirt to a steward to pass on to a young fan. However, he quickly changes thoughts and seems to say: “He has a Sheffield on Wednesday”.
“Imagine trying the whole side, the freezame cold defies after watching a Champions League match, only for your little football-mad 10-year-old to ruin his birthday night,” the child's mother posted on social media. “@JamMcatee_ had the chance to make a birthday unforgettable, he handed out his shirt, and you should have seen the pure joy on the children's faces!
“But then, when it arrived at Oaklan, he changed thoughts … all because of an @swfcofficial badge on his jacket. Let alone that he was from head to toe in @mancity Gear, after he had already spent his birthday money The club shop that evening.
“Children look up at their idols, whether they support a local team or one of the largest in the world. Not everyone can go to Etihad every week, but that doesn't make them any less a fan. Moments like this form how young supporters it play and see their heroes.
McATee's behavior attracted a mixed reaction. Although some fans thought he should not have changed his mind at the last minute, others understood his decision given his ties with Wednesday's rivals.
“I think he's right to do that,” they wrote. “I can't ask for Man City shirts with a SW jacket, especially when McATee has links to Sheffield Utd.”
However, another was not that certain. “For Sheffield Utd played on loan, not from the area, so no excuse for this imo,” they argued, while others said he should have given the shirt to the child.
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