Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola launched a passionate defense of his players Phil Foden and Jack Grealish on April 11, 2025, branding the online and in-person abuse they’ve faced as symptomatic of a “crazy world.”
Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League derby against Manchester United, Guardiola condemned the vitriol directed at the England internationals, particularly after a December incident where Foden was targeted with derogatory chants about his mother during a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Grealish, meanwhile, was allegedly slapped by a United fan in the same match, leading to a 20-year-old’s arrest for assault. “It’s unacceptable,” Guardiola said, his voice heavy with emotion. “These boys give everything for their club and country. People should be ashamed to cross that line.”
Foden, 24, has been a City talisman, scoring nine goals this season despite the team’s mid-table struggles, while Grealish, 29, has fought to regain form amid injuries and off-field scrutiny. The abuse escalated after City’s dip in consistency, with fans and pundits questioning their mentality.
Guardiola, who has guided City to four consecutive Premier League titles, called for perspective: “Phil’s a father, a son, not just a footballer. Jack’s human, too. This hate—it’s not football, it’s a reflection of something broken.” He urged authorities to crack down harder, citing a lack of accountability for crowd behavior and online threats, which have also plagued other players like Arsenal’s Kai Havertz.