Pep Guardiola sparks Jewish backlash over Palestine praise

On 30 January 2026, GB News reported that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola delivered a speech in which he expressed support for the Palestinian people. The remarks prompted criticism from the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, which claimed that Guardiola had shown no solidarity with the Jewish community and alleged that he risked “endangering British Jews.” Guardiola’s comments were seen as a deviation from the club’s apolitical stance, raising concerns about potential antisemitic backlash. The council’s letter highlighted that Guardiola had not spoken publicly to defend the Jewish community. The controversy follows the club’s ongoing scrutiny over political stances and is expected to impact Guardiola’s public image and Manchester City’s reputation in the UK.