Ex-Liverpool defender Jose Enrique pokes fun at Manchester City in tongue-in-cheek advert

Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique joined in with fellow ex-footballers and managers to have a laugh at Manchester City - in a tongue-in-cheek advert that was released.

Famous for their quirky and humerous takes on stories in the footballing world, bookmakers Paddy Power released an advert that makes light of the recent charges brought against Pep Guardiola’s side. The Citizens have been charged with breaking financial fair play rules around 100 times over a nine-year period between 2009-2018.

Alongside Enrique is former Liverpool forward Peter Crouch, as well as ex- Stoke, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis. The advert is centered around reports last week that claimed that one of the punishments for breaching FFP could be City being stripped of their trophies won during the period under investigation.

It has been suggested in some quarters that the Etihad Stadium’s outfit’s three Premier League trophies won in this period could be rescinded and given to whoever the runners-up were in the respective campaigns. The same goes for domestic cup triumphs.

Enrqiue was part of the 2013-14 Liverpool squad that finished just two points behind City. A late collapse, most infamously remembered by Steven Gerrard’s costly slip in a defeat to Chelsea at Anfield, saw City to pip Brendan Rodgers’ Reds to the silverware.

In the advert, Enrique receives a replica Premier League trophy and quips: “Champions in 2014 and I just got the trophy now. Well, better late than never!”

Later in the video, the Spaniard is seen shouting ‘Championes’ whilst lifting the gong on top of an open bus, with only him on it. He also jokes that the trophy is nice to have in the background when conducting Zoom calls.

Whilst it may be classed as banter for rival fans, the allegations put against City are serious. Other potential ramifications for the Manchester club include point deductions, suspension from playing matches or even disqualification from the league.

Fans were quick to comment on the video, with plenty of positive comments such as: “They’ve outdone themselves!” whilst another claimed: “And now I’m following Paddy Power!”

Other adverts in the past have poked fun at the likes of Ryan Giggs and Jose Mourinho.