Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola defends Bernardo Silva following racism ban

City will be without Bernardo for Saturday’s evening kick-off against Chelsea

Bernardo Silva has been banned for one game (Action)

Pep Guardiola has defended Bernardo Silva after the Manchester City playmaker received a one-match ban from the Football Association for a racist tweet.

City will be without Bernardo for Saturday’s evening kick-off against Chelsea after he compared team-mate Benjamin Mendy to a racist cartoon.

Bernardo was banned for one game, fined £50,000 and forced to attend a education course after admitting to have breached the FA’s misconduct rules.

The cartoon – a mascot of Spanish confectionery brand Conguitos – was condemned as “discriminatory” by Kick It Out, the anti-racism in football body.

Guardiola staunchly defended Bernardo against the accusations before the FA’s investigation into the incident, claiming the 25-year-old is an “exceptional person”.

The City manager resumed that defence of Bernardo’s character on Friday, insisting that the authorities had targeted the wrong person.

“In that situation, the most important thing is we will miss him,” Guardiola said regarding the ban. “He has been accused of something he is not.

“He will be careful to use social media. If this can help to do a better society, OK. I am pretty sure Bernardo accept this punishment.

“But he is not like he has been accused,” Guardiola added. “They don’t know him.”

City decided not to appeal against Bernardo’s ban in fear of the one-game suspensions being extended, though believed that the punishment was excessive.