Manchester City have apologised to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after 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.
The 28-year-old is thought to have been passed or thrown the banner by a fan as City's open-top bus made its way through the city centre with the squad and the Premier League trophy.
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."
City pipped arch rivals United to the title on goal difference after a dramatic last-gasp 3-2 win over QPR on the final day of the season.
what do you think?
John Hudson
Pretty tasteless - sums Tevez up
Craig Humphries
totally agree with youre comment, he has no respect
Lorgar Aurelian
Respect for who? Taggart? Why should he?
Phylip de la Maziere
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
info
Well at least he is not of French origin.
Rob Shaw
Don't see the problem, it's not as if he is really was dead. Just a joke! People need to get a grip
Brian Mckeown
Those who live in glasshouses comes to mind
Michael Jordan
Have Man City been in the premiership for all 20 years, have they been in the mix in any previous season- what will Man City have to do to secure their next title (of course I don't expect any winner would ever cheat)?
Simon Sutton
must be man u fan
Lorgar Aurelian
Your point?
Gwyn Jones
It is alright for Fergie to give everybody else abuse but watch out if you give it back to him. Just a bit of fun taken out of contex by poor loosers M.U. I am not a City supporter but they deserved to win. OK then R.I.P. M.U. overated and did not deserve to be second best even.
Stephen Duffy
The table doesn't lie pal. If we were that bad and finished second, what does that make you???
John Stubbs
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Ellen Caton
It wasn't Fergie waving the banner, totally uncalled for, shows lack of respect, wasn't anything to do with MU only ill mannered Tev.
Stephen Bayley
CITY WON THE LEAGE WITH MONEY NOTHING ELSE, THEY ARE NOW DOING A DIFFERENT COMPETITION ITS NO LONGER SPOT THE BALL ITS SPOT THE ENGLISH PLAYER
Dorrien Phillips
Ruud Van Nistelroy, Christiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra, David De Gea, Valencia, Nani, Giggs, need I go on, oh and before you go spouting Rooney, Scholes etc, i'll point out Barry, Hart, etc...Man City won the title because they were the better team, nationalities dont come into it..oh almost forgot Tevez.
Dave Graham
Agree ...... But not just nationalities, How many City players were in the club before the Sheikh took over ? NONE ..... all have been bought not even 1 academy player
S Fids
So what! Grow up and accept it.
Lorgar Aurelian
WRONG Graham... get your facts straight before commenting please.
John Stubbs
guess all the blue noses thought it was funny aswell when he done the golf thing wen he scored, thats how two faced use all are
Ellen Caton
Stop making excuses for your ignorant and inflammatory behaviour, disgraceful, no manners. Are you trying to say no official saw the banner!!
Jamie Gormley
mug that is all tevez is. him and his agent are money mad. city are fools letting him play again. shame really as he is a class player
ruta rybakiene
The noise City are making you'd think they won it by a mile ! It was only piddling goal difference after all !
Paul Tommo Tomlinson
As a proud United fan, I had a season ticket during the Tevez years and as a player he was one of the best, maybe not technically or outright skilful, but all round determination, passion and desire to win. I once saw him dive (head first) into a clearance just off the halfway line. But the same as Suarez trouble and controversy seems to follow him around. As a previous comment says he shows no respect to his current or his previous clubs, The golf swing proves that. This was another incident that proves his lack of respect.
nicholas renshaw
get a grip reds youve been knocked off the perch by a far superior force no good being bitter about it city are the new kids on the block now and yes it was in his lifetime fergie should retire a 7 nil next season in his own back yard ???????
Lorgar Aurelian
10:47pm on 14/5/2012
Nothing to apologise for. Himself said not in his lifetime.