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Manchester City, Liverpool Battle To Take The Title; Iran's President Calls For Unity Amid U.S. Pressure; U.S. Steps Up Military Pressure On Iran; Syrian Regime Escalates Hostilities In Idlib Province; Georgia's Booming Film Industry Outraged Over "Heartbeat Bill"; Six Killed In Attack On Catholic Church In Burkina Faso; Manchester City Take Lead In English Premiere League. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired May 12, 2019 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:00:00] BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD with me Becky Anderson live from Abu Dhabi with all the
very latest news for you this hour. And we begin at a beautiful hour for the beautiful game. After what's already been a breathtaking week for
English football, the record books are about to be rewritten one way or another.
In the next 45 minutes or so we will know who's won the multimillion-dollar Premier League in one of the closest title races in years. Will it be
current champions Manchester City currently battling Brighton. The score they're 1-2 to City. If City wins, it will be the first time in a decade
that a team has topped the table twice in a row.
But don't rule out, comeback Kings Liverpool the score at Anfield one nil against Wolves. Speaking of canines, Liverpool are the underdogs, but
after what they pulled off in the Champions League, this game of two arms could have more drama than Game of Thrones. I'm not talking about them
being underdogs of Wolves, I'm talking about them being underdogs in the bigger battles for the EPL.
Mark Bolton is in Manchester while Patrick Snell following all the action from CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. Mark, to you first. You are in amongst
City fans watching the game at a fan zone in Manchester. Just describe the atmosphere if you will.
MARK BOLTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL SPORT CORRESPONDENT: We've seen it all -- we've seen it all already. I'm already halfway through. They were stowing
the Manchester City fans when Liverpool went ahead, dumbfounded ten minutes later when they went behind surprisingly too Brighton.
But that only lasted for 83 seconds because the dismay quite quickly turned to hope Sergio Aguero with the goal to bring this side back level and give
them some chance of pouring it back ten minutes after that. In kick the joy, in kick the celebration, somewhat premature just yet. Another 45
minutes to go Laporte scoring City as it stands back on top.
But I must say, we get here on stage here a little grunting already. Now given the score of the City so far Becky, that is somewhat premature. They
should know better than that. Wonderful first 45 minutes at the end of fantastic Premier League season. Who knows what's the context. We have no
idea but stay tuned.
ANDERSON: Well, Liverpool have just kicked off, Man City about to kick off. And as ever, as a football fan, I've been -- I know it. The fans
have got one eye on the game that they're watching and one here as it were in the old days to a transistor radio to find out what's going on in the
other game.
Now, of course, you can do that by your iPhone or your smartphone these days so I'm assuming that there is some anticipation about what's going on
about what 45, 50 miles or so down the road in Liverpool right?
BOLTON: Yes there is. Of course, we're on standby because we may race over there for the celebrations towards the game depending on what happens.
I mean they're so close all seasons. So close graphically, history so close as well. City formed 125 years ago, Liverpool just a year younger.
You can -- you can go through all the stats. It's incredible.
What we do know is that the runners-up today will be the most unfortunate runners-up in the history of the Premier League because they've already
eclipsed the totals and have been an achievement by the end of runner up which is 90. These two sides could have the second and third highest
points totals in any top-flight season and one of them won't win it.
It's absolutely incredible. The standards are off the charts, the excitements are off the charts, and someone's celebrations will be off the
charts too. We just haven't got a clue of this stage who it will be. Many fancied City. The manager said he would have slept like a baby last night,
like a little boy he said. I'm not nervous, mind games extraordinaire. These --
ANDERSON: Well, listen --
BOLTON: And so do we. How could we not be?
ANDERSON: Listen, both managers have been really good with each other. In some ways you sort of wish that both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp at
Liverpool we're both able to win this league. Of course, in the end, nobody really remembers the runners-up. We'll leave you where you are to
soak up the atmosphere at the fan zone in Manchester.
Patrick, it's not about just what's going on the -- on the pitch although these two games are thrillers, but this is massive business, massive
business for these two teams isn't it.
[11:05:07] PATRICK SNELL, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: This is huge, Becky. Yes, not just by far the world's most popular sport, but this is the most
popular football league, the Premier League, the one that top-level elite players at some point in their career surely always want to partake and
there is so much at stake. And of course, for the club's owners, it is about the bottom line.
In prize money alone, the top team the team that would ever get a win in this incredible season, Becky, the top team will earn something in the
range of around $50 million in prize money. That's certainly not to be sneezed at, but it's in the lucrative T.V. deals here that these massive
clubs really rake it in.
The top two, in this case, Liverpool and Manchester City looking to make around a $200 million mark in T.V. revenue alone. And just imagine the
impact is going to have on both clubs preseason -- postseason tours or preseason whichever way you look at it. Manchester City will be having to
play in China later on this year. Liverpool F.C. who are owned by Americans will be coming to the USA as well.
So just imagine the boost and the financial amass of the global -- the continued globalization of course in the case of both of these massive
clubs. And I just want to home in, Becky, on one fixture from earlier this season which kind of says it all for me coincidentally involving these two
teams. Liverpool playing Manchester City, that one, that match shown live in a 175 countries give or take, Becky, available to a billion homes. That
paints a very powerful verbal picture, doesn't it?
ANDERSON: Doesn't it. It absolutely does. Look, Patrick, there's no I in team, but one lucky player will be singled out as the winner of this year's
Golden Boot is looking like Liverpool sensation and friend of this show Mo Salah who's racked up 22 goals this year.
SNELL: Friend of Becky Anderson.
ANDERSON: That's two more -- thank you, sir. I was being kind to my teammates. That's two more than any of his rivals teammates Sadie Mane,
Man City's Sergio Aguero, and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang -- I can never pronounce his name but there you go. Patrick, if this week has
taught us anything, it isn't over till it's over, right?
SNELL: Absolutely. And in fact, Aguero got City's first goal today, so that makes it even more interesting. But it gets kind of reinforces what I
said. You're quite right. I mean, I don't want this season to end. We've still got the English F.A. Cup to come, we got the Europa League final to
come, we got the Champions League final to come. What a week it has been for football fans and for sports journalists in general. It has been an
absolute privilege.
But I just want to kind of put a bow in all this and I didn't reference in my earlier spiel the absolute massive stars that this has attracted, this
Premier League has attracted over the years. Mo Salah, a person that you got terrific access with last season, he's kind of the embodiment now of
the Monday Premier League.
But you can go back even years to the iconic Eric Cantona the Frenchman at Manchester United who turns the tide of history for the Red Devils, and
more recently, of course, Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he had a spell at United. I want the season to continue. But you know what, in
around 40 minutes or so, we should know who our Premier League champs for this season.
ANDERSON: Isn't that fantastic? Listen, breathless stuff. Thank you, sir. And to Mark in Manchester, we haven't forgotten you. We will be back
to you. Just soak up the atmosphere where you are, the scores as they stand Man City up against Brighton, a way to Brighton of course 2-1 and
Liverpool as things stand, one up against Wolves at Anfield. Man City, they just need to win. If they don't, all bets are off. Thank you guys
for the time being.
Well, we leave football aside for a moment. A stage being set for a risky showdown between Iran and the United States. Iran's president calling on
the nation's political factions to come together amid increased pressure from the U.S. This as the U.S. says the intel shows an incredible threat
from Iran. An American carrier Strike Group currently on its way to protect U.S. interest and another warship with Patriot missiles we are told
is on its way.
CNN's International Diplomatic Editor is here with me in Abu Dhabi to discuss all of this. Nic, what do we understand? Let's just like pick
this apart and deal with the pieces at this point. What's going on?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: It's a very strong message military messages that's being sent by the United States towards
Iran. it comes on the top of waves of sanctions, of marking Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, a state military body as a terrorist
organization of saying no more, oil waivers for countries buying oil from Iran.
And then of course just a few days ago, new sanctions on iron, steel, copper, aluminum sales from Iran. It's a huge economic pressure and now
this military pressure and this battle group as well. In addition, B52 bombers being brought into the region, and amphibious -- a marine assault
ship that sends a message right there, a guided missile destroyer, ship, sends a message there, a cargo ship. This is -- this is a very strong
message.
[11:10:30] ANDERSON: We as you rightly say have seen the build-up of a U.S. narrative about the threat to U.S. assets in this region. Those who
are not supportive will say this is saber-rattling, this is the use of intelligence or the overuse of intelligence, perhaps seeing intelligence
and stretching a little too far.
In this region, it has to be said in the UAE and Saudi, you see Iran as a foe who is an existential threat from the proxy Houthi who fees for example
in Yemen they will say about time too. What are the Iranians saying at this point?
ROBERTSON: The Iranians are pushing back. I mean, if you look at what the President had to say, he said they're unprecedented -- this is
unprecedented pressure on Iran. President Rouhani said this. He said, we haven't seen pressure of sort of a political-economic like this on Iran
since the days of the Iran-Iraq war 1980 to 1988. And we know what happened in the Gulf back then.
There were Iranian mines deployed in the Straits of Hormuz and you know, ships were damaged and there was an impact on the economy at that time. We
know that the Iranians seem to be sort of if you will, on their own side ramping up their own domestic rhetoric. On state television today you had
the commander of the air force with maps showing what he said were U.S. bases here in the Emirates, the big U.S. base in Kandahar in Afghanistan
showing how they could target them.
If they put planes in the air, we can -- we can stop that. If they try to -- if they try to use ground forces, we can -- we can thwart that. And he
said as far as the Abraham Lincoln carrier group goes, he said that's not a threat, that's an opportunity. So domestically, this is being met -- the
U.S. positioning is being met with fighting talk back home, and the Iranian president saying our people are not going to take it.
ANDERSON: Let's just have a look here at what Rouhani has been saying. Let's return to his call for unity. He says, the U.S. pressures are worse
than felt during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s saying and I quote him here. "At the time of the war, we had no problem in banking, sale of oil,
and export and important. The only ban imposed on us was the arms embargo."
He insists that Iran would never bow to pressure saying, "Giving in is not consistent with our culture and religion. And people won't accept it thus,
we should not accept submission and we should try to find a solution." What happens next is the big question.
ROBERTSON: Well, President Trump on Thursday said, actually, I'd like to talk to the Iranians. And there's a possibility, perhaps this has been
happening through secret channels behind closed doors, we don't know, but what the United States has done, what President Trump has done is had his
phone number passed over to the Swiss who look after U.S. diplomatic interests inside Iran at this time for the Swiss to hand on to the
Iranians.
But look, the Iranians are not going to reach out and make that phone call if they don't believe that -- if they don't believe that they're going to
meet with a joint a joint position between Bolton, between National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Pompeo and President
Trump.
ANDERSON: This is more than just about the nuclear deal at this point isn't it?
ROBERTSON: Oh, absolutely. I mean, look, the way the United States is rallying friends and allies in the region and around the rest of the world
is over the Iran as a state sponsor of terror over Iran you know, threatening terror attacks within European cities. So this is part of the
catch here. Iran's threat to regional stability as well as reaching beyond that.
ANDERSON: It's always a pleasure having you here. Nic Robertson in the house for you here in Abu Dhabi, our International Diplomatic Editor
sorting out the facts as we understand them at present. Thank you, Nick.
While the U.S. has its attention on escalating tensions with Iran, as well as a number of other foreign policy issues in China, North Korea, and
Venezuela, government forces in Syria have ramped up hostilities in the northwest province of Idlib, the last rebel strongholds in the country.
Now, Syrian state media reports that the Russian-backed army's launching intensive strikes on a group once affiliated with al-Qaeda and a number of
terrorists, I quote you there, have been killed or wounded, they say. Well, the U.N. says more than 150,000 people have fled Idlib since the
violence started to escalate last month.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and millions more displaced since Syria's Civil War began in 2011. Fawaz Gerges is the
Chairman of Contemporary Middle Eastern Studies at the London School of Economics, and the Author of Making the Arab World joining us now from
London. And let's start with Idlib. What do you understand to be going on and what's the wider picture? Just contextualize this for us if you will,
Fawaz.
FAWAZ GERGES, CHAIRMAN OF CONTEMPORARY MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: You know, Becky, what we are seeing is that a pre
offensive, not a full-scale offensive of Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold in Syria. So I don't think -- my understanding, we're not
seeing a full-scale Syrian and Russian and Iranian offensive against Idlib. My take on it is that the current attacks would not have taken place
without an implicit understanding between Russia and Turkey and Iran.
As you all know, Becky, the three powers Russia, Turkey, and Iran have basically a de-escalation agreement over Idlib since September 2018. And
the reality is you have major Turkish forces around Idlib. So -- and the trigger for the attacks in Idlib, again, my understanding is that the al-
Qaeda affiliate, the one you mentioned, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other oppositional groups shelled the Russian air force base in Latakia the
attacks really in many ways are a message by Russia not only to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the al Qaeda affiliates but also for Turkey that the
attacks would not be tolerated.
ANDERSON: Washington Post Columnist and CNN Political Analyst Josh Rogin is writing that only the U.S. president can save Idlib, but time is running
out. He says, the Trump administration is dealing with an escalation in Iran, North Korea missile firings are shaky, China trade negotiation, and
attempt to oust Venezuelan regime.
And I quote Josh here, "It's no mere coincidence that Bashar al-Assad and Moscow chose this moment to retake the last rebel-held area of Syria using
scorched earth tactics committing atrocities along the way. Fawaz, do the people of Idlib need the intervention of the U.S. President at this point?
GERGES: I would not gamble on Trump for anything now. With all due humility, it's not the United States that can save Idlib, it's the Turkish
Russian understanding that can save Idlib. Russian-Turkish relations are very strategic, very strategic economically and militarily. We're talking
about massive economic and military relations.
Russia will not risk its strategic relations with Turkey over Idlib. I am becoming older, Becky, and I'm becoming more cynical. There must be a deal
between Turkey and Russia. Idlib for the eastern parts of the you Euphrates, remember, there's a great deal of talks about a kind of a safe
zone on the Turkish-Syrian borders and obviously we have not really seen major protests by Turkey over Idlib.
Trump is not going to save Idlib. Trump has not saved Syria. Trump, in fact, is already drawing down his forces from Syria and Trump is very much
distracted in other theaters. He has so much on his place, Venezuela, China, North Korea, and now of course Iran. He's not going to intervene in
Idlib.
The reality is we do not know what's happening in closed rooms between the Russian President Putin and the Turkish President Erdogan.
ANDERSON: The French ambassador to the U.N. has issued a warning about the uptick in violence in Northwest Syria. He said and I quote, we are
extremely concerned about the violent escalation in the Idlib region. A new Aleppo must at all costs be prevented in Idlib.
I just want to put Syria to side -- to the side for one moment and just get your response to what we see going on with regard Iran at present. I hope
I'm not putting you on the spot when I say you will be as aware as anybody else of what is a burgeoning us narrative about a threat to us assets in
this region where I am. What is your take on where we are at with regard us and Iran tensions at present, Fewaz?
[11:20:00] GERGES: My take, Becky, and I was on CNN earlier today, there is a war of words taking place between the United States and Iran. I don't
expect any kind of direct confrontation, military confrontation between President Trump and the Iranian regime. Neither side wants all-out direct
military confrontation, even though war might come as a result of miscalculation.
[11:20:26] My understanding is that President Trump's policy towards Iran is highly ambitious, very risky, and most likely will likely fail. Why?
Because there is a disconnect between means and ends. The end is to transform, it's total transformation of the Iranian regime. The means are
very humble, economic sanctions and basically aggressive military rhetoric.
Iran has mastered the art of learning how to evade sanctions for decades. The reality is at the end of the day, and you know more than I do, Becky,
economic sanctions on their own do not get rid of regimes, do not really trigger popular revolutions at home. So mainly escalation and this
escalation probably will be contained unless a major miscalculation by an affiliate of the Iranian regime or even, you know, the hard core -- the
hawks within the trump administration, John Bolton or Mike Pompeo.
ANDERSON: Fawaz Gerges in the house out of London for you today. Always a pleasure, sir. Thank you. Still to come, the U.S. braces for China to
retaliate against tariff hikes as a trade deal remains elusive. The latest on the escalating trade war between the world's top two economies up next.
And while it is -- it's exciting stuff, Liverpool never walking alone, these guys Manchester City eternally upping the blues. We have had a goal
in one of those matches, we're going to tell you which after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You're watching CNN, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson. Welcome back. Before I move on to the U.S.-China trade
talks/war, let me just update you on what is going on in the English premiere league. This is the back end of what has been the most incredible
season. We've got two matches that we are watching, Liverpool are playing Wolves. Liverpool are one up. Man City are playing Brighton away, Man
City are 3-1 up against Brighton. And if the scores were to stay the same, Man City would go on to win this English Premier League.
[11:25:38] Whether you're a football fan or not, believe me -- well, I mean, I can't tell you if you're not football fan to believe me, but this
is a big story. There are hundreds of millions of people watching these two games all over the world. It's not just what's going on in Brighton
and in Liverpool today, fans watching all over the world. This is multi- million dollar permanent Premier League stuff. And like I say, I can't remember a more exciting season. I've been watching football since I was
five years old and I'll leave you to work out how long that is.
All right, U.S. President Donald Trump upping the pressure on China to make a trade deal. He tweeted that Beijing should act now or they'll get a
worse agreement if they wait until after the 2020 election. Now, the president's top economic adviser says it's likely that Mr. Trump will meet
with the Chinese president next month, the G20 summit and the U.S. is expecting retaliation for the latest round of tariff hikes. CNN Steven
Jiang is in Beijing with more on where things stand.
STEVEN JIANG, CNN BEIJING SENIOR PRODUCER: Becky, the Chinese have not offered much detail when it comes to their promise to countermeasures
against the U.S. Now, they could obviously impose counter tariffs on U.S. imports but not dollar for dollar. Because remember, the Chinese import a
lot less from the U.S. than the other way around, so they are literally running out of the American products to tax on.
They have a few different options. They could cancel or at least reduce major purchases from the U.S. We are talking about agricultural and energy
products in particular because these could hit hard on the political base of Mr. Trump in the U.S. The Chinese could also favor non-us companies
when it comes to granting market access here. They could even launch an official retaliations to make life difficult for American companies in
China by for example delaying the issuance of licenses or customs clearance or even sending fire inspectors.
Now, one interesting thing to note of course is how the Chinese state media has been covering the story. They were actually getting increasingly
nationalistic with headlines like China will never cave in under extreme pressure or that China will never concede on issues of principle calling
the U.S. a bully that's been making unreasonable demands with some commentaries even evoking memories of the U.S.-Chinese military conflicts
during the Korean War.
So with neither side showing any signs of backing down, the worry is according to experts on both sides that these tensions from the trade war
could spill over into other aspects of this increasingly important but also complex relationship between the world's two largest economies. Becky?
ANDERSON: Right. That's news out of Beijing. let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are on our radar right now. In Pakistan,
military says a gunmen killed five people and wounded six others in Saturday's attack on a luxury hotel. The military says it killed the three
insurgents after calling them on the top floor.
Now, this happened in a vital port city in the country's southwest. The Prime Minister condemned the attacker has an effort to sabotage economic
prospects and projects.
Well, polls are close in India's (INAUDIBLE) penultimate round of voting. You can see Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India's main opposition Congress
party leaving the polling station after casting his vote in New Delhi. Now, this final phase of voting is scheduled for next Sunday with official
results to be announced by May 23rd.
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared an adorable picture of their new little baby. In honor of Mother's Day, Prince Harry and his wife
Meghan posted this photo of Archie's little feet on Instagram. The flowers in the background are Forget-Me-Nots, Princess Diana's favorite flowers.
Well, live from Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD. Coming up, a taste of victory. Well, let's have a look at the reaction outside the Etihad
Stadium when Man City scored earlier. That was one of the goals. But this Premier League race isn't over until it's over. More on that up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:33:33] ANDERSON: We're back now to that nail-biting race for the English Premier League football title. We are into the second half of both
Man City's match against Brighton, and Liverpool's battle with Wolves.
The world really is watching. Take a look at how many supporters club Man City has around the world. Imagine all those dots streaming in unison,
come on you blues. And Liverpool fans, well, they really will never walk alone. We managed to find some fun spots where fans are on the edge of
their seats in this -- the second half.
Look at those fans all over the world. Right now, down the street from CNN Abu Dhabi, we find a life-long Man City fan, Jason Potts, who's at a
viewing party at the Butler Arena. And we've got a couple of Liverpool fans both in Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S.
Matthew Bear (ph) is at viewing party of Fado or Fado's Irish pub. And CNN Copy Editor, extraordinaire, and Liverpool super fan, Greg D'Avis. He's
watching from his own personal (INAUDIBLE).
Then, let's start up or down the street from where I am here. Jason, just walk us through what you are going through at present. Your team is 4-1 up
against Brighton away. It looks like they may have this wrapped up, but it's never over until it's over, right?
[11:35:00] JASON POTTS, FAN, MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB: It's great. It's a great feeling. I mean, I've been a supporter as I've said, for
nearly 40 years. So, I've seen real ups and downs with City for 30 years. They've never won a trophy, now, they can't stop winning trophies. So, it
was never a foregone conclusion that they would win today, but I'm hoping that can hold on now, and get the -- get the title.
ANDERSON: Liverpool, of course, need to beat Wolves and hope that Brighton can take points off City if they were to win their first title since 1990.
Greg, doesn't look as if it's going to happen, but how are you feeling?
GREG D'AVIS, CNN SENIOR COPY EDITOR: Well, yes, I'm very relaxed right now because it looks very unlikely, so it's not going to be too tense. But
this has been a very fun season. This has been the greatest season I can remember as a Liverpool fan. It's just a great team, a constantly hard-
working team, they've got a great series of results, and they just ran into a force of nature and city, I'm afraid.
But this is a fantastic club and they have a lot of potential for the future, I think. So, either way, no matter what happens, it's been a
season to remember.
ANDERSON: Absolutely. Absolutely, and listen, you know, there's still -- it's still more than 10 minutes to go also. And we know that Liverpool can
pull absolute drama out of the bag. So, like I say, it's never over until it's over.
Matthew, I mean, I know that you're a big fan. You're watching in an Irish bar in Georgia. Greg is watching at home because he couldn't bear to be
with anybody else, he needs to concentrate on this. How are you feeling, mate?
MATTHEW BEAR, FAN OF LIVERPOOL (via skype): Well, I'm not only air by that the sale with City up 4-1. But, the box been packed since an hour before
kickoff here at Fado. (INAUDIBLE) see Atlanta's supporters. And as you can hear everybody spill in good cheer, and it's been a battle year. Going
all the way back to when the team came on tour, and it took hundreds to Charlotte on New York.
And we're looking forward to the things you come on prop and his group. It's going on Liverpool is max.
ANDERSON: Fantastic. I want to let you go for the time being because the sound is a little bit dodgy. But do enjoy the match both of you. I want
to get back to our fan in Abu Dhabi, of course, Man City these days or City Football Club, which has got its trophy team.
Manchester City owns by one of the leadership here, Sheikh Mansour. So, this club means an awful lot, to an awful a lot people, Jason, who are
sitting around you. I don't mean for you to not be watching the match. You're more than welcome to glance at the -- at the game that's going on.
But just a sense, you live here, and you be a Man City fan all your life, and just how important is this club outside of Manchester in England, for
example.
POTTS: I mean, it's so important now. It's lovely to see how the club is grown. I mean, when I used to go most, Manchester City fans we're from
Manchester itself. They used to be Manchester's club. But now, it's become a global club, we've got supporters over -- all over the world.
I mean, I teach in the school in Abu Dhabi, and it's lovely to see kids growing up supporting Manchester City. And I can just see that going on
for generation after generation. And surely, success like we're having at the moment will only increase that.
ANDERSON: I'm going to leave the last word to Greg, because -- Greg, you've been supporting this team as long as you can remember, I'm sure,
even if they end up being runners-up today. Let's just talk about where we are at with this club. They're in the final of the Champions League, the
coach an absolute hero to every Liverpool fan on the planet, and that's saying something, given this storied history of management at this Football
Club.
D'AVIS: Yes, it's Jurgen Klopp has brought them to a fantastic place. I can remember some very dark times and some very mediocre times supporting.
And now, were came where it came within a hair of winning the title, and we're about to be in our second Champions League final so in two years.
So, they're looking really good. They've got a very good team top to bottom. This is the strongest team I can remember since I started
supporting them, and I'm very optimistic the future from here and out.
[11:39:49] ANDERSON: Well, listen. As you and I have been talking, your team has gone it again. It's 2-0 against Wolves. It's 4-1 against
Brighton for Man City. Again, 82 minutes through. We're looking at another, maybe eight, nine minutes. Anything can happen. So, to all of
you, I'm going to allow you to go back more just the games that you are watching and we will talk a little bit later.
Thank you to all of them. Greg D'Avis, by the way, is the most amazing team member. A brilliant copy editor for CNN. We will just allow him to
go off and enjoy the game for the time being.
All right, we (INAUDIBLE) to you. And we're going to turn away from football just for the time being to another important story.
This week, the U.S. State of Georgia signed into law one of the country's most restrictive anti-abortion measures known as the heartbeat bill.
Georgia is the fourth state this year alone to pass the bill restricting abortions after the six-week mark.
But unlike other states, Georgia's multi-billion dollar film industry is pressuring politicians to back down. Actress Alyssa Milano called for a
sex strike. Tweeting, "Our reproductive rights are being erased until women have legal control over our own bodies. We just cannot risk
pregnancy.
Join by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back. CNN's Natasha Chen has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NATASHA CHEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Marvel movies, The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, these were all shot in Georgia, the Hollywood of the
south, with more than 90,000 employees in the state tied to its $9.5 billion a year business. But many A-list actors, writers, and producers
are reeling from Georgia's heartbeat bill, signed last week, which outlaws abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. That's around six weeks
into a pregnancy before many women know they are pregnant.
Movie fans touring Atlanta's film locations heard about the boycott.
IRENE BERSON, TOURIST: I agree with them and I'm glad they're taking a stand about it. And hopefully, taking that stand will make a difference.
CHIQUI VILLANUEVA, TOURIST: Just do the job and that's it. And thus, just set aside the political side of it.
KEVIN SAUNDERS, TOUR GUIDE AND ACTOR: All right, we're going to see a couple of places that we saw in the Hunger Game clips. You guys ready?
CHEN: Tour guide, Kevin Saunders is also an actor and moved to Georgia where he knew there would be more work.
SAUNDERS: The up and coming actors, the crews, and everybody that have built a foundation in places like this. We don't have the luxury of being
able to say, okay, hey, let's just go to California.
CHEN: It's not easy for established Hollywood names to leave productions they have committed to. Alyssa Milano said through her publicist, she's
contractually obligated to finish shooting a show in Georgia for the next month, but, quote, "Will do everything in my power to get as many
productions as possible, including insatiable to move out of the state."
J. J. Abrams and Jordan Peele, also have a show to shoot in Georgia. They said they will donate 100 percent of our episodic fees for this season, to
two organizations leading the charge against this draconian law.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're all feeling it. If not financially at the moment, just the negativities to chatter.
And if the issue is not resolved, local crews may see their home abandoned like in a Zombie Apocalypse. Natasha Chen, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: The American Civil Liberties Union, says it will challenge Georgia's new law in courts, and similar bills in other states have either
been temporarily or permanently blocked in the courts.
Breaking news out of Burkina Faso now, and state media reporting that six people are dead after an attack on a Catholic church in the northern city
of Dablo. A priest and five others were killed when the suspects opened fire on the congregation as they celebrated Sunday mass. The gunman then
set fire to the church and surrounding buildings. I want to take a very short break. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:56] ANDERSON: Well, you're watching CNN. This is CONNECT THE WORLD, with me, Becky Anderson. Welcome back. Right in the past couple of
minutes, Man City have four -- are about to win the English Premier League, and they've done it. Maybe Brighton -- in fact, no, I apologize, I have
they won? Have they won?
89 minutes to go, they are up 4-1 against Brighton. That win if it were to be the case, secures their lead over Liverpool for whom a 2-0 victory is
not going to be enough mark. You are at a viewing party outside the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, where the atmosphere must be electric.
BOLTON: Oh it is -- it is. We had champagne on mass here, waiting before the kickoff. We've seen it going flat. I'm just watching because it's all
changing minute by minute. The City go flat, we've seen it'd be put back on ice, and we finally saw the court spot in the 63rd minute when Riyad
Mahrez, dragged out more back (INAUDIBLE) with his have to smashed it home with his right, 3-1, daylight between Manchester City. And right, and then
the party really started.
The vintage part of this champagne today, a sensational free kick from Gundogan. Wonderfully sent around the world into the apex, it top right
anchor of the goal. 4-1 here, Liverpool 2-0. But it means that Manchester City will retain their Premier League crown.
Presently, the closest race then is for the golden boots. The highest goal scorer. 22 goals from Mo Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has got two
today for Arsenal, so, he's got 22. And Sadio Mane's on 22 as well. So, that's the big race at the moment, who gets the Golden Boots? What we know
it will be not a player that also wears the Premier League crown?
Because that's going to be Manchester City for the six time in their history, at 29-year wait for Liverpool goes on, to a 30th year domestically
for a crown. But what an amazing constellation potentially, Becky that Champions League final. It's Tottenham against them, of course, on June
the 1st. So, champagne has been flowing, it will continue to flow here because the job is done.
ANDERSON: Right. Two minutes --
BOLTON: And while you sense here with that overall perhaps, just marginally, and they deserve it. They've been fantastic to what's this
Manchester City seem --
ANDERSON: Yes, it's been such a season that it does seem wrong that they'll have to be a runner-up. But it looks as if that is likely to be
Liverpool. There's a couple of minutes left to back extra time. Now, that Man City game before one up against Brighton, it would be -- it would be a
remarkable if the -- if the positions were to switch at this stage. Just step back for a moment then if you will, and talk about what this means to
the blue side of Manchester.
BOLTON: Well, it means everything, does it? Because for so long, they've been in the shadow of Manchester United were there 20 league titles. It's
the sick here, but, of course, there's been a sea of change in recent years. Huge investment here and this sleeping giant of a club is really
risen. With United struggling so much, they've enjoying their moment in their glory.
And so, they might -- this will be their fourth Premier League titles in eight years. Second on the band for Guardiola. He has pledged his
allegiance see if the club regardless of what happens today, who sings with the project game really is the Champions League win. And until they have
done that, we will stay in Manchester. It goes -- it makes it all the more difficult for him to walk away, Liverpool or Tottenham, picking up it
softly this year. And they've been aiming absolutely everything.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: (INAUDIBLE) and we'll take a very short break, very, very short break. All right. I'm going to take a short break, back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:51:48] ANDERSON: Well, our headline this hour has been the English Premier League title, and it's all over. Let's get you back to the
football action and to Manchester where Manchester City have won the title again, they haven't won it there, they want it down in Brighton. They're
just beaten Brighton 4-1 away.
Mark Bolton, though, is outside the Etihad Stadium. We've spoken to fans around the world today both four Man City and for Liverpool. Just sum up
the atmosphere if you warm up.
BOLTON: Always wonderful. Absolutely sensational. Look at this, phenomenal. Only one game in the world really does this universally. It
is soccer, it is football. The sun is shining in Manchester today. It really -- it really going to in this part of the country, but it's beating
down the sun, and blue moon as well as the sun playing because, of course, that is the Manchester City anthem. And it will play loud and proud for
days, and days, and days.
Pep Guardiola, taking the plaudits in Brighton. He's faithful here, praising. But the job he's done again, retaining the Premier League crown
was the aim, and Manchester City have done it.
I've been push overwhelmed, so, 98 points for them to clinch the title, and 95 goals. Liverpool, just a point behind ultimately. But City, the
champions with the second highest ever points total in the English top flight.
They got 100 last year, they retain it with 98. And the third-best hopeful ever belongs to the side who are heartbroken today. Liverpool, 97 points
in the English Premier League. Only two teams ever done better than that, Manchester City twice, and yet, they walk away with nothing.
Liverpool, heartbroken, at being again aside there were Tarpon Christmas, and yet, couldn't confirm that win -- the title ultimately. The last three
sides to full foul at that place, Liverpool.
It's been a great day, the party will continue, and the closing too. But, of course, Liverpool get their chance to have payback, because the
Champions League comes around on the first of June. We'll be following that, and they can -- the European Champions, not domestic chances if they
win, beating Tottenham.
But it's a fifth title before today sitting (INAUDIBLE), and the party will all go on, and on, and on. They deserve it, they've owned it --
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: We would have thought that would you been calling the Champions League final, a consolation prize. But today, it is the consolation prize
for Liverpool as Man City go on to win the English Premier League.
Let me get you viewers back at here, Abu Dhabi, and just sort of down the road for me where there is been a viewing party for the very same match for
the very same team. The team owned by five men, by Abu Dhabi. And Jason just said sum up the atmosphere there for me if you will.
POTTS: Sorry, I couldn't hear you. Sorry.
ANDERSON: Some up the atmosphere. I know you're just struggling to hear me because of the atmosphere.
[11:55:01] POTTS: Oh, the atmosphere. Sorry, yes. The atmosphere has been great here. Yes, it's a real celebration, wonderful to see City win
another title, and let's hope it's another one for many more to come as well. Go for the triple next Saturday again to up within the F.A. Cup
final.
ANDERSON: That's amazing. That's amazing. Well, enjoy yourselves in Abu Dhabi. I want to get back finally to Manchester and to Mark Bolton. I
just want to step back for a moment, Mark, if you will. And to viewers out there who may still be struggling with the notion of football as the top
news headline for this hour. Just explain what this season has meant to football fans and non-football fans alike?
BOLTON: Well, I think it's kind of just epitomized what we want from sport. Often, money takes the headlines. We know this is the richest
league in the world, Becky. But at times you sense that the very best players do it because they still, beyond the big bucks, just love what they
do. They want to be their best. They want a stage on which to be able to perform their artistry and poetry, and for us to enjoy it.
I think we've had lots of glimpses of that in recent days, the Champions League and for weeks this Premier League. It has been absolutely
sensational from start to finish. It's just mesmerizes, and at various times, we've really been perplexed as to which way it would go. I think we
felt weeks and months ago, and we spoke to the pivotal moment was in January, when Manchester City played Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola, reflexed, he back on, on the last few days. He said, when we faced them, there was a seven-point gap. Have we've lost when it gone
10 points behind, I was nervous then, and I was, you know, worrying that it was gone. Of course, they beat Liverpool on that day. And I think from
there, they gained inner strength after what had been a very difficulties pre-Christmas the City with three defeats -- three unexpected defeats.
And since then, January 1st, they have lost just once and had 14 straight wins on the banks, had dug to their own depths of strength, emotionally,
physically, psychologically, and have seen this one through. And I really do sense that they want to find a stage where they can be at their absolute
best. They couldn't do it in the Champions League, but they've done it in the Premier League, and we have all enjoyed that, haven't we?
ANDERSON: From Atlanta to Abu Dhabi, to the city of Manchester -- the blue side of the city of Manchester, that's it, folks. We've been -- oh, we've
been around the world, and that's what football does to you. The beautiful game and its fantastic fans. I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE
WORLD. Thank you for watching. From those working with me here, and those working around the world, including Atlanta, it's a very good evening.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
