Pep Guardiola claimed Benjamin Mendy did what many people did on New Year's Eve after the defender broke UK lockdown rules - but insisted he is not trying to justify the Frenchman's actions.
Mendy admitted over the weekend that he broke the Covid-19 restrictions last week by throwing a New Year's Eve dinner party with people from his household.
Manchester City manager Guardiola selected Mendy in his matchday squad for Sunday's victory over Chelsea but claimed the move was not a sign that he was trying to justify the footballers' wrongdoings.