Guardiola jumps to defence of Silva over racism claim

Pep Guardiola defended Bernardo Silva against accusations of racism after watching his Manchester City side cruise into the Carabao Cup fourth round against Preston North End here.

The Football Association have written to City to ask about a tweet posted by Silva that was criticised for its alleged use of racist imagery.

The Portuguese forward appeared to compare his team-mate, Benjamin Mendy, to a mascot for a Spanish chocolate peanut brand, Conguito, that invited accusations of racial stereotyping from Kick It Out.

The social media post which was published on Sunday before being deleted 45 minutes later led Silva to tweet: “Can’t even joke with a friend these days.”

Silva faces the prospect of a fine and/or a ban if found guilty by the FA but Guardiola mounted a robust defence of his player last night.

“Honestly, I don’t know what will happen,” Guardiola said after goals from Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and a Ryan Ledson own goal secured a handsome if hard-earned win for the League Cup holders.

“They should put their focus on another issue because they don’t know which guy you are talking about. Bernardo is one of the most lovely people I ever met in my life. He speaks four or five languages and that is the best way to understand how open-minded he is. And one of his best friends is Mendy. He’s like a brother to him.

“The image is not about the colour of the skin. He took a picture of

In the spotlight: Bernardo Silva has suffered unfair criticism, his manager insists Benjamin when he was young and he related it to this cartoon, which was quite similar for the image.

‘‘If they want to do that and ask for Bernardo, I think he will be open to talk. But first you have to know exactly which person you are talking about. There are many situations with people, with white people, and you look at a cartoon and the face is quite similar as your face and you put it in there.

“I think the response from Mendy was clear after that. They are joking all the time. If something happened, it would be a mistake. Bernardo is an exceptional person.”

Preston, currently third in the Championship, gave as good as they got but were no match for City.

Guardiola handed a senior debut to 17-year-old defender Taylor Harwood-bellis, who impressed alongside Eric Garcia, 18, even if the eye kept being drawn to Sterling.

Confined to the substitutes’ bench for Saturday’s 8-0 rout of Watford, Sterling was irrepressible. That the home fans applauded when he took his leave 17 minutes from time told its own story.

The opening goal by Sterling goal was a minor classic. Spinning away from Darnell Fisher just inside Preston’s half, he surged goalwards before feinting to shoot twice, dumping Ben Davies in the process, before finishing.

He set up the second for Jesus, who fired through Connor Ripley’s legs, and was involved in the buildup to the third goal, with Ledson deflecting home David Silva’s cross. Preston North End

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