The game at the Etihad, which will see City presented with the famous trophy at the end of the ninety minutes, is the first time Pep Guardiola’s men have played since they were crowned champions for the third successive season following Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest.
So, with Frank Lampard and his Chelsea players set to perform a guard of honour for City, what exactly is the tradition and is it compulsory?
Here is everything you need to know.
What is a guard of honour?
A guard of honour in football is typically performed as a gesture of respect for the winners of a league or cup competition.
Before the start of a game or ahead of a trophy presentation, players from the opposing team lineup to create two parallel lines.
This flanks the champions as they enter the pitch or make their way to collect the trophy.
As part the tradition around the guard of honour, players are expected to applaud their opponents to acknowledge their success.
However, this is not always the case, with some players electing to just stand therewithout clapping.
One of the most iconic guards of honour in Premier League history was when Manchester United were given one by arch-rivals Arsenal in April 2013 after wrapping up the title.
Robin van Persie, who had left Arsenal to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s side before the start of the season, was part of the United team who walked out onto the Emirates pitch that day.
Whilst Manchester City are set to receive one today, the boot was on the other foot when they gave a guard of honour to Liverpool when they visited the Etihad as Premier League champions in July 2020.
Gary Neville famously likened giving a guard of honour to your wife leaving you ‘being asked to hang the new bloke’s clothes up in your old wardrobe.’
The 1954/55 season is thought to be the first time a guard of honour was performed in England when Manchester United honoured Chelsea for winning the First Division.
Is a guard of honour compulsory?
A guard of honour is not compulsory in football as there are no rules stating a club must perform one for the opposing team.
It is a voluntary choice, but in English football the expectation is that the champions will be afforded one by the other club.
Real Madrid famously refused to afford Barcelona a guard of honour in 2018 when the Catalan side won La Liga.
Manager Zinedine Zidane insisted that Barca breaking the tradition was the reason behind Los Blancos electing against returning the favour.
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