Pep Guardiola on Minneapolis killings: ‘How you can defend that?’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke out about a number of non-soccer topics in an extraordinary press conference on Tuesday, including the recent deaths of two Americans in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents.

In his 10th season of a trophy-filled spell as City manager, Guardiola has become more outspoken on social issues. The Spaniard appeared at a Palestinian charity concert in Barcelona last week and has frequently spoken out on his belief that Israel has carried out a genocide during its war in Gaza.

Ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semifinal against Newcastle, Guardiola was asked about his recent turn toward activism.

“With the technologies and advances that we have, humanity is better than ever in terms of possibilities” he said. “We can reach the moon, we can do anything, but still right now, we kill each other.

“For what? When I see the images, I am sorry, it hurts me, that is why in every position I can help by speaking up for a better society, I will try and will be there. This is for my kids, my family, for you and your families, for the players, the staff.

“Never, ever in the history of humanity — never ever have we had the info in front of our eyes more clearly than now: genocide in Palestine, what happened in Ukraine, what happened in Russia, what happened all around the world — in Sudan, everywhere.”

Guardiola then turned his attention toward the United States, where an immigration crackdown in Minnesota has led to widespread unrest.

Amid resistance from community members, two Minneapolis residents — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were killed by federal immigration agents in January.

Guardiola was well aware of the the two deaths, calling the pair out by name.

“You have to talk. Otherwise, justice moves on, moves on. Look what happened in the United States of America. With Renee Good and Alex Pretti. They have been killed, one a nurse — NHS (the UK’s National Health Service), imagine the NHS — five or six people around him, go on the grass, 10 shots. Tell me how you can defend that?’