Crystal Palace Fans Fuming as Ibrahim Konaté Snubs FA Cup Winners’ Guard of Honour
Crystal Palace’s historic 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final marked their first major trophy in 120 years, sending fans into a frenzy of joy. However, the celebrations were marred by controversy during the subsequent Premier League match at Anfield, where Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konaté sparked outrage among Palace supporters by refusing to clap during the guard of honour for the FA Cup champions.
The guard of honour, a tradition where the opposing team applauds the champions, took place on the final game of the season against the current premier league champions Liverpool, with the FA Cup triumph still fresh. While most Liverpool players participated respectfully, Konaté’s refusal to clap stood out. Witnesses noted the French defender standing with his hands behind his back, visibly unmoved, as Palace players walked through the tunnel of applause. This gesture, or lack thereof, ignited a firestorm among Palace fans, who took to social media to express their fury.
“Konaté’s disrespect is unreal. We won the FA Cup, and he can’t even muster a clap? Pathetic,” fumed one supporter on X. Another wrote, “Classless from Konaté. Palace earned that honour, and he’s out here acting above it.” The Holmesdale Fanatics, Palace’s passionate supporter group, even referenced the incident in a statement, calling it “a slap in the face to our historic moment.”
Konaté’s actions were particularly galling given Palace’s emotional journey to the FA Cup victory. The final, won through Eberechi Eze’s 16th-minute strike and a heroic penalty save by Dean Henderson, was celebrated with a heart-rending tifo display dedicated to a late Palace fan, Mark Wealleans, and his sons. The victory was a testament to the club’s resilience under Oliver Glasner, making Konaté’s snub feel like a personal slight to the entire Palace community.
While some defended Konaté, suggesting he might have been distracted or unaware of the protocol, the majority of Palace fans saw it as deliberate disrespect. Liverpool’s manager has yet to comment, and Konaté himself has remained silent, leaving the incident to fester among supporters.
As Palace basks in their FA Cup glory and eyes a Europa League campaign, the Anfield incident has only fueled their resolve. For now, Konaté’s refusal remains a sore point, a rare blemish on Palace’s triumphant moment.
