Guardiola: Rashford, Sterling making world a better place
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has spoken of his admiration for Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling, who have both taken a stand on matters of huge importance.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling have used their platforms to make the world a better place.
Guardiola spoke of his admiration for the duo, citing them as prime examples of why footballers should feel empowered to speak out.
Rashford leads successful free-meals campaign, Sterling vocal on racism
Manchester United forward Rashford led a successful campaign to force a U-turn from the United Kingdom government on the provision of free meals to vulnerable children during the school holidays, with the coronavirus pandemic having left many families in a worse plight.
Fellow England star Sterling has been vocal on the issue of racism, which has come into sharper focus globally following the death in police custody of George Floyd.
"I admire these kinds of gestures because they do it for all of us"
Addressing the critics who favour the response "stick to football" when players decide to take a stand, Guardiola said: "Maybe these stupid people don't believe you are human beings too. We can have an opinion the same as a nurse, a doctor or even a politician.
"We are humans and why shouldn't we say our opinion when you believe you can make a better society, when you are public?
"What Raheem Sterling has done many times, players in our club, Marcus Rashford or whoever, of course they have to use these platforms to make a better society.
"They don't need to get more money – fortunately for them they have enough – so they do it to get a better place to live, for their families, for our kids, for the next generations.
"So that is always why, when the people say it is not enough, of course it isn't but let's start from here. I admire these kinds of gestures a lot because they do it for all of us."
City resume Premier League campaign on Wednesday
Guardiola's side return to Premier League action after a three-month absence with the visit of Arsenal on Wednesday.