“This is unacceptable in 21st century Europe”: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gives his voice to a message from Catalonia citizens’ movement Tsunami Democràtic after the verdicts by Spain’s Supreme Court sentencing 9 Catalan leaders to long prison terms, calling “the international comunity to take a clear position in favor of a resolution to this conflict, based on dialogue and respect”.

“The court ruling is a direct affront to human rights, including the right to assembly and to demonstrate the freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial. This is unacceptable in 21st century Europe. Spain is experiencing a drift towards authoritarianism in which an anti-terrorism law is used to prosecute dissidents. Neither [Spanish prime minister] Pedro Sanchez’s government, nor any other Spanish government, has been brave enough to deal with this conflict with dialogue and respect. Instead, they have chosen repression as the only response. We demand that the Spanish government find a political and democratic solution. We demand that Spain sit down and talk. We repeat, there is only one path: sitting down and talking. Sitting down and talking.”