Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has again voiced his support for victims of war-torn regions across the world in another passionate condemnation of conflict.
The 55-year-old has taken a commendable stance against the ongoing atrocities in Ukraine, Sudan, the Gaza strip as well as the United States, using his platform to express support for innocent victims of war across the globe.
Guardiola delivered a passionate speech in support of the state of Palestine in Barcelona last week, with the Manchester City manager receiving huge plaudits from large sections of the club fanbase and wider football community as he continues to speak up against acts of war and the killing of innocent lives.
Matters on the pitch haven’t exactly been straightforward for the Manchester City boss of late, with the Blues fighting for silverware on all fronts amid a poor run of form. There has also been increasing talk of a potential parting of ways between Guardiola and the eight-time Premier League champions.
Pep Guardiola on speaking up more about issues close to him: “Not [just] for genocide of Palestine. Whatever cause that can be better in humanity; many years I was [wearing] ‘Open Arms’, right? People going to the Mediterranean, running away from wars, away from their own… pic.twitter.com/YIcIkl64Su
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City will be searching for their second win in seven Premier League games against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, but Guardiola was again asked about his concern for humanitarian issues as he previewed a monumental game for the Blues.
Asked on the criticism that came his way in the wake of his comments on war and suffering, Guardiola said: “To be honest, I didn’t say anything or nothing special. I don’t feel that,” in a press conference on Friday afternoon.
“Why can I not express what I feel, just because I’m a (football) manager? I don’t agree. But I respect absolutely all opinions. What I said basically is how many conflicts there are right now, all around the globe, around the world.
“How many? A lot, right? I condemn all of them. All of them. Innocent people being killed? I condemn all of them. I don’t put that selection is more important than the other ones, or this country more than the other one. No. You don’t understand my message? It’s fine. I cannot say otherwise.”
Guardiola has set a pleasant example in the football community as someone who is advocating for peace, above all, in a world that is witnessing increasing conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty – underpinned by the destruction in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza as well as ICE’s crackdown on immigrants in the United States.
On criticism from people who advise people from the football world to stick to football, Guardiola added: “Okay, you focus on being a journalist as well. You cannot talk about economics, because you are not a journalist specifically about economics, right?
“You focus on football (so) don’t talk about that, don’t talk about that, don’t talk about that. That’s why. They want (me) to remain silent; that is what the world wants, right? Be silent and don’t say anything. I think it’s completely the opposite. But anyway, it is what it is.”
Some matters are greater than football and speaking in a press conference prior to Manchester City’s 3-1 win in the return leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie, Guardiola admitted he was grateful that he was finally quizzed for his thoughts on atrocities caused by war across the globe – in the backdrop of his backing of Palestine in Barcelona.
The Manchester City manager is certainly not scared of rocking the boat as he continues to take a stance on humanitarian issues that have gravely impacted an ever-increasing number of regions and innocent victims in the world.
He will continue to divide opinion but a significant portion of Manchester City’s online fanbase have expressed immense pride in having Guardiola as first-team head coach, with the Blues navigating a tricky period on the pitch in their first season under the stewardship of sporting director Hugo Viana.