Pep Guardiola says he did not “intend to make light” of self harm after Manchester City’s 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord.
City threw away a three-goal lead over their Dutch opponents on Tuesday night in the final 15 minutes of the game, leaving them languishing in 15th in the Champions League standings.
Guardiola, without a win in six games across all competitions – five of those being defeats – acknowledged scratches on his face and body in his post-match press conference, saying: “I want to harm myself.”
“It’s from my nail on my finger,” Guardiola added. “I cut myself with my fingernail [during the game].”
Guardiola was left with scratches on his face
However, the City boss has now rowed back on those comments, issuing a statement on social media, which read: “I was caught off guard with a question at the end of a press conference last night about a scratch which had appeared on my face and explained that a sharp fingernail had accidentally caused this.
“My answer was in no way intended to make light of the very serious issue of self harm.
I know that many people struggle with mental health issues every day and I would like to take this moment to highlight one of the ways in people can seek help, by calling the Samaritans hotline on 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
