Man City Beats AEK Athens 5-1 Amid Empty Etihad Seats

Manchester City defeated AEK Athens 5-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, while large sections of the Etihad Stadium remained empty. The unexpectedly sparse crowd attended the match at City's recently expanded 61,000-seat home ground in Manchester, England, amid scrutiny of the club over financial wrongdoing. Phil Foden scored a hat trick, while Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also found the net, according to the Associated Press.

The victory helped City's team, led by Enzo Maresca, respond quickly to its previous Champions League defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester City and UEFA had not immediately announced the official attendance. However, the numerous vacant seats across the stadium indicated that turnout was well below capacity.

The sparse attendance came as the club faced the consequences of being found guilty of widespread financial wrongdoing. Potential sanctions include a substantial fine, a points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League, according to the source report.

City supporters had demonstrated defiance during the team's previous Champions League home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain, which attracted more than 60,000 spectators. Before that match, the club staged a fireworks display and screened highlights of its greatest moments on the stadium's large screens. Manchester City has appealed the ruling, and the pre-match presentation was viewed as a possible show of resistance to the decision. Supporters had also brought inflatable bananas to recent matches, reviving a craze that dates to the 1980s.

Few of those inflatable bananas were visible during the AEK Athens game, marking a contrast with the displays at earlier matches. The low turnout also followed three home fixtures in less than a week, with City having hosted Paris Saint-Germain and Ipswich before facing the Greek side. Despite the reduced crowd, City produced another convincing performance. Foden's three goals led the scoring, with Anderson and Cherki completing the 5-1 victory as the Premier League-leading team returned to winning form in European competition.