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Guardiola was outspoken in his criticism of fans after the Manchester derby last week for the offensive behaviour from fans.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Jack Grealish (AFP)
Pep Guardiola opened up on the ‘crazy world’ that footballers exist in after Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Phil Foden suffered abuse in separate incidents during last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Manchester against United.
A 20-year-old man has been charged with assault for allegedly slapping Manchester City winger Jack Grealish at the derby, while Phil Foden was subjected to humiliating abuse about his mother from the United fans during the encounter as well.
Neither of the incidents sat well with City boss Guardiola, who was outspoken in his criticism of fans after the game for the offensive behaviour from fans.
“If you take a look around you will realise we are not in the right path,” said Guardiola on Friday.
“They (Foden and Grealish) don’t feel good but we move forward.
“It is happening everywhere. It’s a crazy world, right? Everything happens all around the world, not just in sport. Nobody is away from that.
“I know it’s happened sometimes in our club but it’s not a problem about a specific club, or specific department in world football. It happens everywhere.”
City are facing a crisis of identity this season, having slumped from defending their Premier League title from last season, to now fighting to keep Champions League hopes alive in a tightly-contested race for a top-four finish, where just six points separate Nottingham Forest in third from Aston Villa in seventh.
City finally were presented with a ray of hope this week though, with confirmation that a top-five finish will be enough to reach the Champions League, thanks to the strong performance of English sides in European competitions recently.
City’s quest to stay alive though is not helped by a lengthy injury list that contains Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, top scorer Erling Haaland plus key defenders John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake.
“We didn’t have the squad all season but we adapt,” added Guardiola. “You can see it as a problem or a challenge. You could see the position as a disaster but it could be worse.
“I’m really satisfied for the way we’ve handled it.”
City, who sit in fifth currently, will host the in-form Crystal Palace in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League this weekend.
(with agency inputs)
