Pep Guardiola was subjected to homophobic chants from Real Madrid supporters during Manchester City’s Champions League exit at the Bernabeu last night, according to reports.
The City manager faced taunts from the home crowd during his side’s 3-1 defeat, with fans making references to Madrid’s gay district Chueca.
The unseemly chants came amid Guardiola’s recent separation from his wife Cristina Serra, with whom he had shared a 30-year relationship.
Spanish newspaper Marca described the chants as ‘reprehensible’ and noted their homophobic undertones.
Pep Guardiola was subjected to homophobic chants from Real Madrid supporters during Manchester City’s Champions League exit at the Bernabeu last night
REUTERS
According to Marca, with the score at 2-0, Madrid fans chanted: “Oh, Guardiola, you look so thin. First it was the drugs. Today you can see it in Chueca.”
Chueca is a well-known district in Madrid that serves as the heart of the city’s gay culture.
The Spanish publication noted that the word “Chueca” could carry a double meaning, as it can also be used as slang for describing someone as “crooked”.
The chants appeared deliberately timed to coincide with a difficult period in Guardiola’s personal life.
Pep Guardiola cut a dejected figure as Man City lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night
REUTERS
Last month, news of Guardiola’s split from his wife Cristina Serra emerged through respected showbiz reporters known as the Mamarazzis.
The couple, who married in 2014 near Barcelona, had been living apart for over five years after Serra returned to Spain with their youngest daughter Valentina, 17.
Reports suggested Serra decided “enough was enough” when Guardiola signed a new contract until 2027, reversing an earlier decision to leave the UK.
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The pair share two other children – Maria, 24, and Marius, 22.
Kylian Mbappe’s devastating hat-trick sealed Manchester City’s Champions League exit, with the final score ending 3-1 on the night and 6-3 on aggregate.
The French forward struck twice in the first half before completing his treble after the interval, with Nico Gonzalez scoring a late consolation for City.
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As the match progressed, Madrid fans shifted to ironic chants of “Guardiola, stay,” which they repeated three times.
The defeat marked a bitter end to City’s European campaign at the knockout play-off stage, with the home crowd revelling in their victory over the former Barcelona manager.
There was no indication that Guardiola heard the offensive chants during the match.
The City manager shook hands with Carlo Ancelotti at full-time before congratulating Madrid’s players and acknowledging the travelling supporters.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City side were sent crashing out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday night
REUTERS
“Nothing is eternal,” Guardiola said after the match. “We have been unbelievable and we have to try step by step to get better from today.”
He added: “We couldn’t defend well with the movement from Mbappe and it was more difficult. The best team won, they deserved it. They were better.”
“What we have to do is accept the reality and move forward.”