Pep Guardiola criticized Manchester United fans for directing abusive chants at Phil Foden and his mother during the recent Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
The match ended in a goalless draw, but the focus shifted to the unacceptable behavior from a section of United supporters towards Foden. City was reportedly shocked and appalled by the incident, with United sources denouncing any form of abusive chants towards players.
‘It’s a lack of class,’ Guardiola remarked in the aftermath. ‘But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know? We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football: managers, owners, and football players especially.
‘Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.’
Sections of the United home support could be heard labelling Foden’s mother, Claire Rowlands, 44, a ‘s**g’ as they taunted him during his 58 minutes on the field.
Foden was then withdrawn and replaced by Jeremy Doku, leading to more jeers.
But Guardiola rejected any suggestions the 24-year-old is low on confidence and has backed him to discover the form that has helped lead City to six league titles.
‘When the team is not playing at the level that we had, it looks like everyone is not what they were,’ the Spaniard added. ‘I see the passion and smile on his face every day in training and that is what I want.
‘You see the numbers of players who have been four, five, six years. This year we drop and it’s all of them – that’s why we are struggling to win but the quality is there.
‘He won the Premier League in the last games [last year], in the game against West Ham with two goals. His impact was incredible and he will be back.’
Foden’s mother came into the public eye in January 2024 after footage was released of her being put in handcuffs and thrown out of a Welsh nightclub after knocking a hat from a fellow partygoer’s head.
The incident, which occurred at a Bentley’s nightclub in Towyn, Wales, took place on September 9 2023, just hours after Foden came off the bench to play for England in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
The 52-second clip, shown in court, showed Rowlands aggressively confronting police officers who were called to the scene.
Challenging the officers, she said: ‘Go on then, what’ve I done? Don’t come into my face unless you’ve got evidence.’
Another friend said, ‘No, she’s coming home with me’, as officers replied, ‘She’s staying with us for a minute.’
Rowlands was cleared of assault and but fined for her behaviour after she admitted to police: ‘I do not drink often but when I do, I make up for time. I am like an animal.’
Meanwhile at Old Trafford on Sunday, former United stars Gary Neville and Roy Keane were critical of the lack of passion from both teams.
Neville frowned at the players embracing at full-time, saying: ‘The love-in that I’m watching tells you that both teams feel happy with a 0-0. They’re going for a roast dinner now.
‘It’s a Manchester derby and it should have more blood, thunder, risk and courage.’
Keane added: ‘I can’t believe this – this is a friendly derby.’
United boss Ruben Amorim hit back, saying: ‘I understand Gary Neville is critical about everything!’
