City centre workers urged to head home early ahead of Man City match

Etihad Stadium

There may be disruption for anybody who works in the city centre on Wednesday, as police prepare for Manchester City's opening Champions League group game.

Pep Guardiola's side face Lyon at the Etihad Stadium - kick off is 8pm.

But road closures will be in place around the city centre from 5pm, as police begin to move an expected 250 fans of the French side from Shambles Square to the stadium.

Routes will be closed in phases as officers guide the fans towards the ground.

Transport for Greater Manchester is urging anyone who can to leave work early and not to travel between 4pm and 7pm.

The match is a 55,000 sell-out and, as a result, TfGM say "significant delays" are expected.

Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin, Silver Commander for the Manchester City vs Lyon fixture, added: “While we’re expecting hundreds of people to attend the match on Wednesday evening – with some international visitors – a fixture of this kind is a regular occurrence in our events calendar.

“We’ve been speaking to both clubs and the police in France who tell us those attending are looking forward to enjoying Manchester and all it has to offer.

“We’ll be guiding the fans from Shambles Square to the Etihad to make sure everyone gets there in time for kick off and to ensure there’s minimal disruption to the local community.

“Of course there will be some disruption to the city but we don’t anticipate it to be on the same scale as previous European fixtures.

“There is a policing operation in place and officers will be deployed in the city centre prior to the game.

“For any issues during the match please speak to a steward or in an emergency, call 999.”