Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned that football cannot solve racism alone following a “disgraceful” incident in Lisbon. The Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid was suspended on Tuesday night after alleged racist abuse. Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior reported being targeted by a slur from Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. Consequently, referee François Letexier activated UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, resulting in a ten-minute stoppage at the Estádio da Luz.
Guardiola Demands Societal Shift Following Lisbon Incident
Guardiola addressed the fallout during his Friday press conference ahead of City’s encounter with Newcastle United. He insisted that the issue is deeply embedded within the fabric of modern society rather than just sport. The Catalan coach argued that skin colour does not define a human being’s worth. Meanwhile, he claimed that there is “a lot of work still to do” to eradicate such prejudice. He urged a move away from the mindset of superiority that fuels discriminatory behaviour globally.
Crucially, Guardiola suggested that the solution lies in the classroom rather than on the football pitch. He advocated for significantly higher pay for teachers and doctors to reflect their vital importance to society. He believes the next generation must be educated to accept diversity as a fundamental human value. Conversely, he noted that football managers are often given too much prominence in these complex social debates.
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