Skin cancer charity leads furious backlash against Manchester City for BANNING supporters not bringing their own sunscreen to stadium despite 32-degree heatwave
- Manchester City’s Premier League match against Bournemouth has started at 3 p.m.
- At the time, supporters faced scorching temperatures in parts of 32C
- But fans were told not to bring in their own sunscreen
- Instead, they were only allowed to bring a 500ml clear disposable bottle
- Skin cancer charity Melanoma UK slammed policy, calling it ‘deeply disturbing’
A skin cancer charity is leading a furious backlash against Manchester City after the club banned supporters from bringing their own sunscreen into the stadium – despite temperatures reaching 32C.
Manchester City’s Eredivisie The game against Bournemouth started at 3pm yesterday as supporters faced a scorching heat wave – with those sitting close to the pitch exposed directly to the sun.
But fans were told not to bring their own sunscreen into the Etihad Stadium.
Instead, supporters were only allowed to bring a 500ml clear disposable bottle that could be refilled on the floor.
Leading skin cancer charity Melanoma UK has rejected the club’s policy, calling it ‘disappointing’ and ‘deeply disturbing’.
It said, ‘Really? Do you not allow sunscreen in the stadium? What is the explanation?
‘You have to be aware of the increase in skin cancer and the danger of UVA & UVB, right?
“Not here to criticize, but this is very worrying. Happy to consciously work with you. Many football players have had a melanoma.
“Your support team is wrong. You can’t expect a stadium full of fans (many of them children) not to carry sunscreen.
“Help them protect – join someone who can deliver the sunscreen to the stadium. This is so disappointing.’
Blue smoke rises from the pitch at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium shortly before 3pm kick-off
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates with fans in the scorching heat by throwing his top into the crowd
A cameraman films the match from a gantry while supporters have to sit in direct sunlight to watch
Leading skin cancer charity Melanoma UK has criticized club’s policy, calling it ‘disappointing’
Fans were told not to bring their own sunscreen into the Etihad Stadium despite the heatwave
The backlash began when Elliot Levy asked if sunscreen would be allowed in the stadium.
But the club tweeted him back: ‘Hi Elliot, sunscreen is not allowed when entering the stadium. We advise supervisors to bring this before your arrival and to bring a hat and water.’
Elliot then replied, “Seriously? On a day like this I think you urgently need to reconsider.
“The bottom tier of the East Stand will be drenched in 30-degree heat all afternoon and you’re telling people not to bring sunscreen? Do we have to bake in it for two hours without shade?’
Another Twitter user said: ‘I’m traveling to the game with a relative who recently had skin cancer, also in the Lower East Stand.
“It’s ridiculous if we can’t bring sunscreen (especially if they’ve relaxed the rules around liquids). Find it out City.’
Another fan, Ian Elliot, said, ‘Wow. My son has cystic fibrosis and has to apply sunscreen if he is on a lot of medication, this is what I would call discrimination, not only that, but the sun can cause skin cancer.
‘Sunscreen in this weather is essential for health. Unbelievable.’
Fans are normally not allowed to bring water or other beverages into the stadium, but the rule is believed to have been relaxed due to the extreme heat.
The club also said those who need to bring sunscreen or any other prohibited item can email their access team.
It came as an orange “extreme heat” warning was issued by the Met Office for the weekend as temperatures in southern areas hit 35C.
The Football Supporters’ Association had urged clubs to change their rules to help fans in the blazing afternoon in the stands.
Manchester City have been approached for comment.