Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola faced homophobic chants from Real Madrid supporters during his team's crushing Champions League defeat, following recent news of his separation from wife Cristina Serra.
The incident occurred during City's disappointing 6-3 aggregate loss to the Champions League holders, where Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick secured a 3-1 victory for Real Madrid on the night. Spanish media reported that the Santiago Bernabeu crowd targeted Guardiola with offensive chants.
According to reports, Madrid supporters were heard chanting: "Ay, Guardiola, how thin you look. First it was the drugs. Today you can be seen around Chueca." The reference to Chueca, Madrid's prominent LGBTQ+ district, and allusions to Guardiola's appearance drew connections to the HIV/AIDS crisis that devastated the gay community in the 1980s and 90s. Throughout the match, taunting chants of "Guardiola stay" also echoed through the stadium as Real Madrid advanced to the last-16.
The timing of these homophobic chants appears particularly pointed, coming just weeks after the public announcement of Guardiola's separation from his wife of thirty years, Cristina Serra. The couple, who share three children, had reportedly been living separately for several years before Guardiola extended his contract with Manchester City until 2027.
Neither Manchester City nor Real Madrid have issued statements regarding the incident, which marks another setback in Spain's ongoing efforts to combat abuse in football. Guardiola must now regroup and focus on a crucial Premier League fixture against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday.
