This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
Manchester City's tour of China has been marred by controversy after a report in Chinese state media accused the team of showing 'utter disrespect' to fans.
However, manager Pep Guardiola has blasted the report as 'false' and insisted that the team's actions were driven by a desire to connect with supporters.
"I don't agree but I should say too that it's false. To make a statement like this they have to know exactly what's happening in our club," Guardiola told media in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Guardiola's comments came after a lengthy commentary was posted on the English-language website of Xinhua, the state news agency, which accused Manchester City of snubbing fans and only visiting China for commercial reasons.
The report, which accused City of an 'attitude of arrogance', brought a sour end to a difficult tour of mainland China. The team arrived two days late and played two games in four days, before heading off for further friendlies in Hong Kong and Japan.
Guardiola, who earlier said the whirlwind visit was all about 'survival', will take City into the Community Shield, the English season's curtain-raiser, against Liverpool in less than two weeks.
England striker Raheem Sterling said he thought the players had made a 'really good connection' with fans during their time in China.
"We took a little bit longer than we expected to get to China, the turnaround was a bit fast and there was a lot we had to catch up on as well. A lot of us have been struggling with sleep," he said.
Guardiola also insisted he felt completely safe in Hong Kong, which has been rocked by weeks of anti-government protests.
