Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been criticized by a Manchester Jewish group after speaking about Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Guardiola recently spoke at a charity event in Barcelona in support of Palestinian children. He later told reporters that the suffering of innocent people in conflicts around the world, including the Middle East, deeply affects him and pushes him to speak out.
The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region responded by urging Guardiola to “be more careful” with his words and to focus on football.
The group said such comments risk fueling antisemitism and criticized him for not publicly showing solidarity after an attack on a Manchester synagogue last year.
In a statement, the council said Guardiola’s remarks on international politics were inappropriate for his role and described his comments as controversial.
Guardiola defended his position, saying that modern technology allows people to clearly see the suffering caused by wars across the world.
He said the killing of innocent people, regardless of which side is involved, deeply hurts him and that he feels a moral duty to speak out.
Manchester City have been contacted for comment.
