Pep Guardiola paid for the repair of boat rescuing refugees in the Mediterranean Football Cost around €150,000

The refugee crisis that every year sees thousands of people attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea in unfit vessels has clearly touched Pep Guardiola, who donated his own money to help repair a rescue boat.

After Proactiva Open Arms had a boat docked in Italy with serious damage last March, the Manchester City boss stumped up the 150,000 euro amount to fix it.

Guardiola has long been a noted supporter of the NGO and its founder, Oscar Camps, confirmed Guardiola's donation to RAC1 on Tuesday.

The current Barcelona coach, Ernesto Valverde, has also shown his support for their efforts by launching a book to raise funds for Proactiva Open Arms.

And the newly installed Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, recently opened the port of Valencia to a rescue boat that helped 629 people after Italy and Malta barred them from entering.