Pep Guardiola: Those who criticise Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling for speaking out are ‘stupid’
‘We are humans. Why should we not say our opinions to be a better society?’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has condemned as “stupid” those who say players like Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling should focus on football rather than speaking out on social issues.
Manchester United and England forward Rashford has campaigned successfully for school food vouchers to be provided over the summer holidays.
City forward Sterling, also an established England international, has backed anti-racism protests after the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.
“Maybe stupid people don’t believe that you are a human being,” said Guardiola ahead of the Premier League restart against Arsenal on Wednesday. “We can have an opinion the same like a doctor or even a politician. We are humans. Why should we not say our opinions to be a better society? What Raheem Sterling has done many times or players in our club, Michael Rashford or whoever.
“Of course they have to use their platform to make a better society,” continued the Spaniard. “They don’t need to get more money. Fortunately for them they have enough so they do it to get a better place to live for the families, for our kids, for the next generation... I admire a lot these kind of gestures.”
Guardiola has also been outspoken on social and political matters. The manager, whose mother died in the Covid-19 pandemic, in March donated €1m to the fight against coronavirus in Spain.
He was fined £20,000 by the Football Association in 2018 and warned about his conduct for defiantly wearing a yellow ribbon on his suit in support of jailed pro-independence Catalan politicians.
Premier League Players will sport logos supporting Britain’s National Health Service on the front of their shirts and ‘Black Lives Matter’ replacing their names above the number on their backs when play resumes this week.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments