Skin cancer charity leads furious backlash against Manchester City for BANNING supporters from bringing their own suncream into stadium despite 32C heatwave

• Manchester City’s Premier League game against Bournemouth kicked off at 3pm
• At that time, supporters were facing searing temperatures in parts of 32C 
• But fans were told they were not allowed to bring their own suncream inside
• Instead, they were only allowed to bring a 500ml, clear, disposable water bottle
• Skin cancer charity Melanoma UK has slammed policy, calling it ‘very worrying’

A skin cancer charity is leading a furious backlash against Manchester City after the club banned supporters from bringing their own suncream into the stadium – despite temperatures reaching a 32C.

Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth kicked off at 3pm yesterday when supporters were facing a searing heatwave – with those sitting close to the pitch exposed directly to the sun.

But fans were told they were not allowed to bring their own suncream inside the Etihad Stadium.

Instead, supporters were only allowed to bring a 500ml, clear, disposable water bottle that could be refilled at the ground.

Leading skin cancer charity Melanoma UK has slammed the club’s policy, calling it ‘disappointing’ and ‘very worrying’.

It said: ‘Really? You won’t allow sunscreen into the stadium? What is the explanation?

‘You must be aware of the increase in skin cancers and the danger of UVA & UVB? 

‘Not here to criticise, but this is very worrying. Happy to work with you in awareness. Many footballers have had melanoma.

‘Your supporter services team have got this wrong. You cannot expect a stadium full of fans (many of them children) not to have sunscreen with them.

‘Help protect them – link up with someone who can provide the sunscreen inside the stadium. This is so disappointing.’

Blue smoke rises from the pitch at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium shortly before the 3pm kick off

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva celebrates with fans in the searing heat by throwing his top into the crowd

A cameraman films the match from a gantry while supporters have to sit in direct sunlight to watch

Leading skin cancer charity Melanoma UK has slammed the club’s policy, calling it ‘disappointing’

Fans were told they were not allowed to bring their own suncream inside the Etihad Stadium, despite the heatwave

The charity added today: ‘If stadiums throughout the world can install hand sanitisers, they can do the same with sunscreen. We can all do better.’

The backlash began when Elliot Levy asked if sun cream would be allowed into the stadium.

But the club tweeted back at him: ‘Hi Elliot, sun cream will not be permitted on entry into the stadium. We advise supports to apply this before coming and to bring a hat and water.’

Elliot then replied: ‘Seriously? On a day like this, I think you need to urgently have a rethink.

‘The East Stand lower tier is going to be drenched in 30 degree heat all afternoon and you’re telling people that they’re not allowed to bring sun cream? We have to bake in it for two hours with no shade?’

Another Twitter user said: ‘I’m travelling to the game with a relative who recently had skin cancer, also sat in the Lower East Stand.

‘Ridiculous if we’re not allowed to bring sun cream in (especially if they’ve relaxed rules around liquids). Sort it out City.’

Another fan, Ian Elliot said: ‘Wow. My son has cystic fibrosis and needs to apply suncream if he goes out when on many medications, this is what I would call discrimination, not only that but the sun can cause skin cancer.

‘Sunscreen in this weather is vital to health. Unbelievable.’

Fans can normally not take water or any other drinks into the stadium, but it is believed the rule has been relaxed due to the extreme heat.

The club also said that those who need to bring suncream or any other prohibited item in with them, can email their access team.

It came as an amber warning for ‘extreme heat’ was issued by the Met Office for the weekend as temperatures reached 35C in southern areas.

The Football Supporters’ Association had urged clubs change their rules to helps of fans during the scorching afternoon in the stands.

Manchester City have been approached for a comment.

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