City say sorry for Fergie banner

Manchester City last night apologised to Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson after striker Carlos Tevez held up a banner goading his former manager.

Tevez has also expressed his regret after he was pictured with a sign which read ’RIP Fergie’ during City’s celebratory title-winning parade in Manchester.

A City spokeswoman said: “The creation of the tasteless material is in itself reprehensible and in accepting and brandishing it, Carlos has made a significant error of judgement.

“The club wishes to express its sincerest apologies to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United Football Club for any offence or distress caused.”

The sign may have been a reference to a remark by Ferguson three years ago when asked if United would ever be underdogs against City.

“Not in my lifetime,” the Scot said.

Tevez, who spent two years at Old Trafford before leaving for City in 2009, said: “I got carried away in the excitement of the moment and I certainly didn’t mean any disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson, who I admire as a man and a manager.”