Frank Lampard Manchester City contract extension sparks outrage at New York City FC

New York City FC fans claim they are "outraged" by the decision to allow Frank Lampard to remain at Manchester City until the end of the season.

Lampard was due to join the new MLS franchise today ahead of the new campaign before parent club City decided to keep him until May.

New York City supporters' group Third Rail say they feel let down because season tickets and merchandising were bought on the assumption that Lampard would play from the start of the MLS season.

In a statement on Third Rail's website, the group said: "We would like to publicly denounce City Football Group's and Frank Lampard's decision to extend his loan to Manchester City until the end of the Premier League season.

"Many fans, including our members, decided to support the team, committed to season tickets, and bought merchandise under the impression that Frank Lampard would be playing for New York City Football Club, not Manchester City.

"Many of those fans are rightly outraged by this decision, and we support any course of action they take to voice their discontent over this decision.

"Our support for our ownership group has been unwavering until now, but this we cannot support. We reject out of hand any suggestion that NYCFC is in any way secondary to Manchester City FC, regardless of the source, and are disappointed that City Football Group would give such an appearance."

Lampard's signing was seen as a coup for the MLS and former Liverpool star and New England Revolution Coach Steve Nicol claims it is a "disaster" for football in the US.

"Disaster, absolute disaster," he said. "It's a disaster for that new franchise, a disaster for MLS." ...DailyMirror