Pep Guardiola has defended Bernardo Silva after the Portuguese midfielder was criticised for posting a picture of Benjamin Mendy alongside the character on the packet of Conguitos - a sweet brand available in Spain and Portugal.
"If something happens, it will be a mistake," Guardiola said on the matter.
"Bernardo is an exceptional person. He speaks four or five languages and that is the best way to understand how open-minded he is.
"One of his best friends is Mendy. He's like a brother to him.
"The image is not about the colour of the skin. He took a picture of Benjamin when he was younger and he related it to this cartoon, which was quite similar to the image.
"If they [the English Football Association] want to do that [investigate the matter] and ask Bernardo, I think he'll be open to talking."
jadbkmstuz
0
GORDUOLA IS PURE RACIST I NEVER SEE ANY COACH RACIST LIKE PEP HE DOESN'T LIKE BLACK STUPID
How do you test to see if someone is a recist,as you claim Pep is???
nioacnpr
0
Yes
Daueiksz
0
It beats my imagination why people are on the neck of the FA. come on it's only an investigation if they see no foul play then he goes free when has investigation ever been verdict? it's such funny attitude like this that results to plenty of racism let's not create breading grounds for any form of racism. I am even very happy that the FA is doing something about it what if they did not and it turns out otherwise
mubcntuy
0
As we know benardo silva that can’t be happening but it seems as a joke to him
Bacon-man
0
there's no racist act in here.. such a barbaric accusation
I know
DzekoDienQdoh
0
Punishing him would be a great message from the FA and would show that they take racism seriously. Disagree with Pep here, it's the exact opposite! 6 games seems reasonable.
there's no racist act in here.. such a barbaric accusation
DzekoDienQdoh
2
so we can't joke to black guy nowadays.. so much problematic this modern world
fieilort
2
pathetic!! so we are not allowed to put a picture of a cartoon next to him?? it's more racist if you see this as resist.
SWEEPERKEEPER
0
Bernardo and Mendy always joke with each other . Both are extremely nice and good friends . The FA has nothing to do with this issue .
Bacon-man
0
racist
No it’s not
Bacon-man
0
Punishing him would be a great message from the FA and would show that they take racism seriously. Disagree with Pep here, it's the exact opposite! 6 games seems reasonable.
The tweet was in no way racist. Why are people offended by this lol. This generation is too soft man
Bacon-man
4
Disgraceful that this is even being investigated. Feminists taking things out of context once again. Soon the world will be run by sjws. What a joke
ShubhankurSharma
5
Looks like fake feminism isn't the only thing from which people are offended[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
yuyuyu
1
Embarrassing that this is still going on. Blown way out of proportion. Shows gow soft everyone is getting offended by everything.
anamal
0
It would be a mistake, there's no evidence of Silva acting with hostility; only ignorance. Punishing him over a gaffe will do nothing but miscategorise him a racist, thereby setting a bad precedent, and hurting Bernardo himself. If they stay quiet and let the story die down people will forget about it, if he comes out and apologises he will look like the good guy for learning his lesson. I get the FA are probably covering their own asses with this action, but I hope for everyone that they see sense and don't blow it out of proportion.
UARTin
0
Punishing him would be a great message from the FA and would show that they take racism seriously. Disagree with Pep here, it's the exact opposite! 6 games seems reasonable.
Uniqukiss
0
When players have been banned/fined for tweets they did when they were kids before they even played football professionally then there has to be a ban here, personally I think the Fa’s stance on social media is pathetic but they’ve already set their stall out so not banning here would be a piss take.
cookie111
0
Jokes like that are fine between friends obviously and Mendy didn’t seem to mind but posting it online for everyone to see isn’t always the best idea especially when you’re a professional footballer followed by millions.
Frederice
0
The double-down is the thing that really bothers me about this. If Bernardo was just like "yeah sorry, this is between me and my mate but I can understand how this could make others feel" then it's almost a non-story. But to make some sarky "can't even joke with friends anymore /eyeroll/" isn't really all that different from shouting about SJW/PC brigade/snowflakes. Really, really disappointing to see that wilful ignorance.
Steman
1
A deduction of two points from last season seems to be the best possible punishment.
leausign
0
I mean, they should just tell Bernardo to joke like that internally, not tweet it in public. If Mendy doesn't mind that of course, but that tweet in public was just stupid. They should fine him like 100k and get over it. Has Mendy said anything about that situation?
Leslevi
0
Ban him for the season. Ban Mendy for the whole season for liking the tweet too. Aguero probably laughed at it, a lifetime ban for him.
blossomaea
0
Pep: I mean look, the guy really does look like a racist caricature. Bernie can't help that. He did what any of us would do when faced with this reality: he posted it to Twitter.
Postman
0
Bernardo and Mendy are publicly very close friends. Judging by Mendy's reaction, it's an inside joke between the two and he took it as just that, a joke
lopsidede
0
Yaya Toure celebrating rn
rikimnrty
0
Am always bitter when people are ashamed of who they are, am black am very proud one ,mendy was not angry, they are friends I don't get offended when someone calls me black I only get offended when u paint the Devil black because he is the bad guy, eg the white never get offended when u call them white is because the are proud of them self and so do I when u call me black AFRICA FOR LIFE.
wambpstz
0
racist
stfu retard
Hanif_hanib
0
racist
Charanjyot
0
all you can do is copy paste?? use your own words lol....
this is for those who doesn't read article just directly come to comment section , so that they can read the article, It's a noble job [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
huwklmopyz
0
Kick It Out, an organisation dedicated to fighting racism in football, condemned Silva for his tweet and the player has since deleted it. "If something happens, it will be a mistake," Guardiola said on the matter. "Bernardo is an exceptional person. He speaks four or five languages and that is the best way to understand how open-minded he is. "One of his best friends is Mendy. He's like a brother to him. "The image is not about the colour of the skin. He took a picture of Benjamin when he was younger and he related it to this cartoon, which was quite similar to the image. "If they [the English Football Association) want to do that [investigate the matter] and ask Bernardo, I think he'll be open to talking." Guardiola was talking after Manchester
all you can do is copy paste?? use your own words lol....
AverageS4v4g3
1
GORDUOLA IS PURE RACIST I NEVER SEE ANY COACH RACIST LIKE PEP HE DOESN'T LIKE BLACK STUPID
Makes perfect sense, a coach that's racist against blacks goes out to intentionally signs and coaches black players. And don't give me any crap about Eto'o or Yaya....
Charanjyot
1
Kick It Out, an organisation dedicated to fighting racism in football, condemned Silva for his tweet and the player has since deleted it. "If something happens, it will be a mistake," Guardiola said on the matter. "Bernardo is an exceptional person. He speaks four or five languages and that is the best way to understand how open-minded he is. "One of his best friends is Mendy. He's like a brother to him. "The image is not about the colour of the skin. He took a picture of Benjamin when he was younger and he related it to this cartoon, which was quite similar to the image. "If they [the English Football Association) want to do that [investigate the matter] and ask Bernardo, I think he'll be open to talking." Guardiola was talking after Manchester
hoaanorsy
2
these people really don't know what is racial abuse, these two men are best of friends, it's normal for friends to jibe each other, these people are too paranoid, every and anything you say is terms as racial abuse, they need to look at the disparity in treatment that they dishes out to some people
Vuabcekmsy
1
GORDUOLA IS PURE RACIST I NEVER SEE ANY COACH RACIST LIKE PEP HE DOESN'T LIKE BLACK STUPID