Micah Richards, a former defender who is now a commentator, made an odd comment after Sunday night’s FA Cup quarterfinal draw, which infuriated Manchester City supporters. Earlier in the weekend, Pep Guardiola’s team defeated Plymouth Argyle at home with three goals in the second half, guaranteeing a spot in the next round, where they will play Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The FA Cup this year has been especially interesting because the four-time Premier League winners are the final surviving member of the classic “big six.” Following a penalty shootout loss to Manchester United, who were subsequently ousted by Fulham in the fifth round, Arsenal was eliminated in the third round. In the fourth round, Plymouth pulled off a spectacular giant killing with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, while Tottenham lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.
Many believe that the mystique and unpredictable nature of the FA Cup have been revived by this year’s competition, which has raised expectations that an underdog would make history. While on duty for the BBC, Richards tried to put the rest of the competition into perspective, but his remarks might not have had the desired effect despite his 245 appearances prior to becoming a Man City ambassador.
Why Man City Fans Have Turned on Micah Richards
The club ambassador claimed they are not a big club
Richards’ scathing remarks about Man City on Sunday night serve as a reminder that summarising a whole competition is more difficult than it seems. The 36-year-old stated in a live BBC interview (see the entire segment below):
What an opportunity for a squad to go out and win it right now. With inverted commas, all of the major teams are out. Man City is undoubtedly the best team still in the league.
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Although Man City’s place in the world of football has been hotly debated, the Citizens have won four more Premier League titles since Richards retired in 2019—a Champions League, a Club World Cup, an FA Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup. It’s not cool these days to say that they’re not a big club, but that’s exactly what the former right-back implied.
Some X users weren’t as understanding, while one wasn’t sure if Richards meant what he said. “Personally, I think Micah Richards misspoke earlier, I don’t think he was necessarily saying what he is being accused of,” the statement stated.
“However, it’s an error that he really shouldn’t be making as our club ambassador, he’s digging a hole every time he speaks at the moment.”
Personally I think Micah Richards misspoke earlier, I don’t think he was necessarily saying what he is being accused of.
However it’s an error that he really shouldn’t be making as our club ambassador, he’s digging a hole every time he speaks at the moment.
Naive. pic.twitter.com/Sr0AXvOH5M
— The City Shack (@thecityshack) March 2, 2025
Another comment read, “I must have forgotten that the team that wins four straight can’t be classed as big,” and a third said, “Petition to strip Micah Richards of the ‘club ambassador’ role.” A fourth, meanwhile, remarked: “Micah Richards, take ‘Ambassador’ out of your bio!”
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