Guardiola: "What is happening in Palestine, Sudan, Russia, and Ukraine truly hurts me"
Manchester City's Spanish coach Pep Guardiola expressed his shock and deep dismay at the scale of humanitarian tragedies unfolding worldwide, particularly in Palestine and other conflict zones. He emphasized that silence in the face of such suffering is no longer acceptable, given the clarity of the situation and the availability of information to everyone.
Guardiola told the media: "Never, ever in the history of humanity has information been so clear before our eyes as it is today. We see everything clearly: the genocide in Palestine, what is happening in Ukraine, what is happening in Russia, what is happening in Sudan, and what is happening everywhere around the world. All of this is unfolding directly before us."
He added: "This truly pains me. This is not a political issue for me; it is a humanitarian one. Even if we were on the other side, it would pain me in the same way. When thousands of innocent people are killed, it pains me. It's not more complicated than that."
Guardiola clarified his stance, stating: "I have many friends from various countries and cultures. But when you have an opinion or an idea, and you defend it by killing thousands of innocent people, I'm sorry, I will not accept that. I will always stand against this."
He highlighted the humanitarian aspect of the crisis, saying: "I cannot imagine how any human being could feel nothing while seeing these images every day: fathers, mothers, children, their lives being destroyed before their eyes. How can we not be affected or feel connected to their suffering?"
He continued: "For many years, we have seen people risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea, fleeing their countries because of wars they did not choose. They embark on the sea and drown just seeking a chance to survive. Don't ask if it's right or wrong. Save them first. Because it's about human beings."
He went on: "After that, we can discuss, disagree, and criticize. Everyone has the right to their opinion. But when people are dying, the first duty is to help them, keep them alive, and protect life itself. This is the only thing we have."
He concluded: "The tragedy is that what is happening is not just in one part of the world, but everywhere. Even now, with all this technological progress and all the capabilities humanity possesses, humanity has never been stronger than it is today. We can reach the moon, we can do amazing things. Yet, we are still killing each other. For what?"
