The French defender became the latest in a growing list of high-profile footballers to be caught breaking Government regulations by celebrating during the festive period last week.
Mendy broke Government restrictions by inviting two friends and a chef to his £5million mansion to see in 2021. The mixing of different households indoors is banned under the Tier 4 rules.
Manchester City are now investigating the breach - which came just three days after a Covid-19 outbreak put paid to their Premier League fixture against Everton earlier this month.
But Guardiola still decided to name Mendy as a substitute for Sunday's Premier League win at Chelsea and then launched an passionate defence of the 26-year-old afterwards.
The City boss said: ‘Benjamin already had Covid in the past, he has been tested every day like all the other players. He has explained, he knows what he has done and he will learn in the future.
'He is part of the group, he is one of the guys who is much beloved in our group. In the stands today he was the most active player. He is a special guy for us and has an incredible heart.
'I would like to see how many people will now judge him and see if they have the good intentions that he has.
‘But he has to understand some things. I would like to know how many people did this on New Year’s Eve, but normally in this society we judge the others when first we should judge ourselves.
‘I’m not justifying it, he broke the rules. But don’t give too many lessons to the others.’
However, Guardiola's decision to support Mendy has outraged football fans and some were quick to make their fury known on social media after his interview.
One wrote: 'Wow. What a way to defend the indefensible. Disgraceful.'
Another tweeted: 'What an odd thing to say and what kind of message does that send out to people who hear him say that. I guess he's never heard the phrase two wrong don't make a right.'
Other furious fans describe Guardiola's interview as 'shameful' and 'extremely stupid'.
It was even suggested by one fan that clubs should face points deductions if their players break Covid rules. They wrote: 'Embarrassing. The club should be docked points/fined when players blatantly break the rules. It's the only way they will actually learn.'
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