Liverpool great Steve Nicol has delivered a brutal assessment of Rayan Cherki following the Manchester City player’s widely discussed shirt-swap incident during an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool.
The moment, which unfolded before the final whistle, quickly became a major talking point among supporters and pundits alike.
Cherki, who had already been substituted, was seen exchanging shirts with fellow France international Hugo Ekitike while the match was still ongoing.
Matters escalated when the City midfielder appeared on the bench wearing a Liverpool jersey — a gesture that drew immediate attention and criticism.
A member of City’s backroom staff intervened soon after, instructing Cherki to remove the shirt. The player complied without protest, raising his hand in what seemed to be an acknowledgment of his mistake.
However, by that point, the images had already circulated, sparking backlash from fans who viewed the act as disrespectful given the context of the match.
Nicol blasts “madness” of in-game shirt swap
Nicol, who enjoyed a decorated spell at Liverpool, did not hold back when addressing the situation.
Speaking on ESPN FC, the former defender stressed that Cherki’s actions breached long-standing professional standards within the game.
“There are certain unwritten rules that we as professionals know that you do and don’t do. You don’t swap the shirt on the field, you wait till you get to the change room or the back of the stadium but to actually do it while the game is going on, it’s just madness.”
The ex-Liverpool man went further, questioning the decision-making behind the incident and criticising Cherki’s conduct on the bench.
“Then Cherki, like an idiot, putting it on while sitting on the bench, eventually someone told him to get it off because it was stupid, but you got to wonder where players’ heads are when they are doing these sort of things during the game.
“It is a complete and utter no-no. There is no situation that you’re going to convince me that that is okay.”
Shirt swapping has long been a symbolic act of mutual respect between opponents, but it is traditionally reserved for after the final whistle — a timing that preserves the seriousness of the contest itself.
In this case, the premature exchange, followed by Cherki wearing Liverpool colours while still part of the City setup on the sidelines, was seen by many as crossing a line.
Semenyo highlights Cherki’s quality despite controversy
While the controversy dominated headlines, Cherki’s performance on the pitch — and his broader reputation — continue to earn praise from teammates.
Antoine Semenyo was among those quick to underline the Frenchman’s exceptional ability, particularly after their combined efforts proved decisive against Liverpool.
Semenyo found the net in the second half with an emphatic finish, a move that stemmed from Cherki’s precise through ball.
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The French playmaker’s vision was again evident later in the match, as he delivered another incisive pass that allowed Semenyo to create an opportunity for Erling Haaland, ultimately leading to another goal.
Reflecting on Cherki’s influence, Semenyo spoke in glowing terms about his teammate’s talent and impact.
“He’s one of the world’s best,” Semenyo said of Cherki. “He can literally do anything with the ball, he makes my life easy. I know he’s going to drop, try and find me in behind or play to my feet.
“I remember my first day in training, some of the skills he was pulling up, I thought, ‘What kind of player is he?’ He’s a top player. Creative with the ball and we love it.”
While Cherki’s technical quality remains undisputed among teammates, the incident has reignited discussions about professionalism and awareness at the elite level.
