Bernardo Silva Sorry For Mendy Tweet, But Guardiola Backs Man City Player
Muhammad Rameez Published September 27, 2019 | 09:51 PM
Bernardo Silva has sent a letter to England's Football Association to apologise for any offence caused by a controversial tweet comparing Manchester City teammate Benjamin Mendy with a black cartoon character
Silva submitted the letter on Thursday after the FA had asked the club for their observations regarding the incident, and said he had learned a lesson.
Included with the letter was a statement of support from France international Mendy, who said he had not taken offence at what his Portuguese teammate had posted.
The tweet in question compared a picture of a young Mendy with the cartoon character from the Spanish chocolate peanut brand Conguitos.
City manager Pep Guardiola defended his player when he faced the media after Tuesday's League Cup game at Preston and reiterated that stance ahead of City's Premier League game at Everton on Saturday.
However, Guardiola has faced strong criticism for failing to condemn Silva's post.
"Regarding Bernardo I am incredibly clear," said Guardiola. "If people believe Bernardo is this type of person, they are completely wrong.
"They judged one joke. I judge working with him every single day for three years and how he is and his friendship.
"I know the intention of Bernardo. It was just a joke. Benjamin is like a brother to Bernardo and Bernardo is like a brother to Benjamin.
It is what I see every day in training." Mendy and Silva have been teammates since 2016, having spent a year together at Monaco before they both moved to City the following year.
An Instagram video posted by Silva in 2018 has also attracted criticism for alleged racist undertones. In the video Silva asks Mendy, who is dressed in black, why he was not wearing any clothes.
The FA is studying the video in question as well as all his previous social media history before they reach their decision.
If the governing body does find the 25-year-old guilty of discriminatory behaviour, he could be suspended for six domestic matches.
That would be a severe blow to City and the player but Guardiola was adamant that Silva had learned a valuable lesson from this episode.
"Bernardo is an exceptional person, and he is absolutely not guilty," he said. "It was just a joke and that's all.
"It's a cartoon and the face is quite similar. The same happened a thousand million times with white people. It's the same.
"If the people in the FA think the opposite, then Bernardo and City are open to listen and give their opinion.
"It was a simple joke but if someone is offended, I can understand it. Bernardo is maybe going to take a lesson and it's not going to happen again."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
More Stories From Sports
-
Paris holds its breath for Olympic swimming events in murky Seine
2 hours ago -
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
12 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
12 hours ago -
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
12 hours ago -
Watford hire Cleverley as permanent boss
12 hours ago -
Karachi, Lahore, Multan win matches of National Women’s Cricket Tournament
13 hours ago
-
No communication gap among players, asserts Babar Azam
13 hours ago -
Bracewell looks ahead to Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan
13 hours ago -
Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 WC 2024 ambassador
14 hours ago -
Kewell's Yokohama beat Ulsan to reach Asian Champions League final
15 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
15 hours ago -
Advisor Sports hands over Rs500,000 to prominent Martial Art Athlete Irfan Mehsud
15 hours ago