Manchester’s Jewish community leaders urge Pep Guardiola to focus on football after his comments on global conflicts, citing concerns over rising antisemitism
PEP Guardiola has been urged to “focus on football” by Jewish community leaders in the city.
The Manchester City manager’s recent comments on global conflicts have drawn criticism for their potential impact.
The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester expressed frustration over Guardiola’s humanitarian reflections. They fear similar language could fuel antisemitic acts.
“We have repeatedly asked for prominent individuals to be mindful about the words they use given how Jewish people have had to endure attacks across the globe,” the council stated on social media platform X.
“Pep Guardiola is a football manager. Whilst his humanitarian reflections may be well-intentioned, he should focus on football.”
Guardiola spoke about the suffering of innocent people in Palestine, Sudan and Ukraine at a recent press conference.
He had earlier given a speech supporting Palestinian children at a charity event in Barcelona.
The council also accused him of a “total failure” to show solidarity after last October’s attack on Heaton Park Synagogue.
Two people were killed in the terrorist attack near City’s Etihad Stadium.
“It’s especially galling given his total failure to use his significant platform to display any solidarity with the Jewish community subjected to a terrorist attack a few miles from the Etihad Stadium,” the statement added.
“We implore Mr Guardiola to be more careful in his future language given the significant risk faced by our community.”
