Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has joined the chorus of voices across the footballing world in condemning Israel over the war in Gaza. In a video on Instagram, he urged fans to support the charity match between the Catalan and Palestine national teams on Tuesday, November 18.
Pep Guardiola said, “It is much more than a game, it is a cry for solidarity, in tribute to the more than 400 Palestinian athletes who have been murdered in Gaza. Let’s fill the stadium!” Speaking to RAC1, a leading Catalan radio station, he condemned Israel and western governments in very harsh words.
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The former Barcelona manager said, “The world has left Palestine alone. We’ve done absolutely nothing. They’re not at fault for being born there. We’ve all allowed them [Israel] to destroy an entire people. The damage is already done and it’s irreparable.”
He further stated, “I can’t imagine a person in this world who could defend the massacres in Gaza. Our children could be there and be murdered just for being born there. I have very little faith in the leaders. They do whatever it takes to stay in power.”
Pep Guardiola is a leading pro-Palestine voice in Football
Earlier in October, Guardiola had accused Israel of committing a genocide in Gaza. He issued the statement in support of a public demonstration against the war in Palestine. He said the world was watching a “live genocide” where thousands of children had died and more could still die.
In June, after receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, Guardiola said that “it hurt his whole body” to see the events in Gaza. He said that he sees children dying in Gaza and it scares. Because he believes his own children could be next if people continue to look away.
Guardiola is not the only top football icon who has lent his support to Palestine. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, top Premier League player, criticised UEFA over the latter’s statement on the killing of a Palestinian footballer.
UEFA had said in a post on X, “Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pelé’. A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.” Mo Salah responded, “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Salah’s tweet received huge traction on X.
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has also joined calls for FIFA and UEFA to ban Israel from all football. Paul Pogba, Hakim Ziyech, Gary Lineker are some other famous footballers who have condemned Israel.
