Pep sends ‘big hug’ to stricken City fan

PEP GUARDIOLA has shown his support for the Manchester City fan who was attacked after Tuesday’s 5-1 Champions League victory at Club Bruges. Guido De Pauw was left in a coma with fears of brain damage after being set upon at a service station while travelling home with family and friends. The 63-year-old is in a stable condition and Guardiola (right) arrived at his media duties prior to today’s game at Brighton wearing a T-shirt displaying a message of solidarity. ‘All of the club and the organisation are with him,’ said Guardiola. ‘We are quite optimistic because, in the last hours, he is getting better. We are sending a big hug for him and all his family and we wish that he comes back to Etihad Stadium soon to follow us.’

Reports in Belgium yesterday said two men remain in police custody. A lawyer for one of the alleged attackers said: ‘He is very sorry. He realises he will have to pay a lot and he is no longer allowed to go to football.’ Guardiola added: ‘Hopefully this isn’t going to happen again. ‘It’s difficult to understand why people go to enjoy a game and terrible things happen. ‘I’m pretty sure Club Bruges will do the right investigation.’ Meanwhile, Guardiola has told Steve Bruce to ignore criticism surrounding his time in charge of Newcastle and suggested that he avoids social media. ‘Sometimes the managers are treated worse than the worst but it is a reflection of society,’ said the City boss.

‘Nobody deserves to be treated like that. But he need not worry, because it is the people who know him well that are the most important. The players know who Steve is. He always took care of me nicely when I came from Catalonia. ‘I wish him all the best and would tell him not to pay attention to the comments.’