pep Guardiola
- La Liga should learn from ‘strict’ Premier League, says Guardiola
- The abuse of Vinícius Júnior has put racism in the spotlight in Spain
Fri 26 May 2023 at 3.40pm BST
Pep Guardiola is not confident that the racism situation in Spain will improve after Vinícius Júnior was abused during Real Madrid’s match in Valencia.
Vinícius threatened to leave the pitch after being attacked with monkey chants. Valencia were handed a partial stadium ban for five games, a €45,000 (£39,000) fine and three people arrested in connection with the incident. Another four were arrested in connection with the hanging of the striker’s likeness on a bridge in the Spanish capital earlier this year.
Club docking points would deter racist fans, says La Liga President
Asked if La Liga should learn from the Premier League, Guardiola replied: “They should.” Here they are so strict [on fighting racism]. They know what to do. That’s a problem everywhere – if we think we’re better than our neighbors, then we’re better than the other.
“The problem is that racism is everywhere. Not only because of gender, but also because of color. Believing that our language is better than the other, our country is better than the other. We have to accept diversity like humans – but we are a long way from that at the moment. Hopefully we can do better in Spain but I’m not optimistic.
“Many black people are stepping up to defend what they shouldn’t [have to] defend.”
City visit Brentford in the last Premier League game ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester United and the Champions League final against Internazionale a week later in Istanbul. Guardiola gave his players two days off early next week.
“In my experience, the best way to play a final is to switch off as much as possible,” he said. “Go with your families when the sun is out, play golf, do whatever you want to prepare for the finals. You have to train [a little] But do exactly what we need to arrive in the best shape for the final.”
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