Pep Guardiola was asked at the press conference about his appearance at a charity event. The City coach launched into an emotional speech.
On Friday, City coach Pep Guardiola had missed the press conference before the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. The reason: a charity event in his hometown of Barcelona for Gaza, where the Catalan gave an emotional speech.
Before the League Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United, Guardiola was asked about his appearance on Tuesday – and used the opportunity for an urgent appeal.
“Never before in the history of mankind have we had the information so clearly before our eyes as now – the genocide in Palestine, what happened in Ukraine, what happened in Russia, in Sudan, everywhere,” said the Manchester City coach at the press conference.
Guardiola: “That hurts me”
At the same time, Guardiola emphasized: “I will continue to speak out. Always. To kill thousands of innocent people just like that? It hurts.”
Visibly moved, the 53-year-old added: “I can’t imagine how anyone can’t feel that when they see these images every day. The fathers, mothers, children who are experiencing what is happening – whose lives are being destroyed. And people there don’t feel at least a little compassion? I’m sorry, but I can’t understand that.”
“Don’t ask if it’s right or wrong, save them”
Guardiola also spoke about migration and refugee movements: “The people who have to do that, flee their countries, go into the sea and then get into a boat to be saved – don’t ask if it’s right or wrong, save them. It’s about people.”
After that, one could criticize and express one’s opinion, but the protection of human life must come first, the City coach said.
Guardiola also looks at the USA
At the end of his remarks, the Spaniard also referred to the situation in the USA, where protests against the actions of the US immigration agency ICE have recently increased.
“You have to say something. Otherwise, things just continue. Look at what happened in the United States of America: Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed. Tell me, how can that be justified?” asked Guardiola. Good and Pretti had been shot by ICE officers.