Guardiola dedicates City win to Catalan separatists

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola dedicated his team's 2-1 win over Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday to the two Catalan separatist leaders detained in Spain.

Pep Guardiola dedicates Manchester City's 2-1 win over Napoli to those fighting for independence in #Catalonia @PAdugout pic.twitter.com/6TCFrGzxzj

— Rich McCarthy (@VJRichMcCarthy) October 17, 2017

"This win is dedicated to them," Guardiola told reporters at the Etihad Stadium, in response to a question on the matter from a Spanish journalist. "We have shown in Catalonia that citizenship is bigger than any ideas. We hope they will be released soon."

Guardiola dedicates #MCFC victory to those imprisoned in Catalonia: "We have shown in Catalonia that citizenship is bigger than any ideas"

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) October 17, 2017

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Barcelona on Tuesday to protest against the Madrid-based National Court's ruling to keep Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez behind bars pending investigations into sedition charges. It follows the bitterly contested Catalan independence referendum which was ruled illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court.

Pep Guardiola: 'There are more than 700 hurt ... people who were going to vote, not rob a bank' #Catalonia https://t.co/gz5n0o37OO

— Irish Times Sport (@IrishTimesSport) October 2, 2017

Guardiola, a Catalan, is one of the most famous figures associated with Barcelona Football Club, having won multiple trophies there as both player and coach.