Pep Guardiola Slams Israel Over Gaza 'Massacre' Amid Calls for UEFA Ban
Pep Guardiola has spoken out about the "massacres" in Palestine in a strong statement against Israel and world leaders.
On Tuesday, the Lluis Companys stadium in Barcelona will stage an ACT x Palestine charity friendly between Catalonia and Palestine - with more than 25,000 tickets sold.
All profits from the game will go towards helping fund humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza following on from the atrocities, where around 70,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces according to the Gaza health ministry.
Israel's war on Palestine began in October 2023 when Hamas invaded Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
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The attack on Gaza was later declared a genocide by a United Nations commission and US president Donald Trump has attempted to end the conflict with a 20-point peace plan.
But with so much damage done already, Guardiola is urging people to show solidarity by attending the charity game as he claimed Palestine has been "abandoned".
"It's more than just a symbolic match," Guardiola said to RAC1 in an incredibly outspoken interview.
"These days, everyone knows everything, and with this game, the Palestinians will see that there's a part of the world that cares about them."
He added: "The world has abandoned Palestine. We have done absolutely nothing. They are not to blame for having been born there. We have all allowed an entire people to be destroyed. The damage is done and it is irreparable.
“I can’t imagine a single person in this world who could defend the massacres in Gaza. Our children could be there and be killed simply for being born. I have very little faith in world leaders. They’ll do anything to stay in power.”
Guardiola's comment amid strong calls for Israel to be banned from competing internationally by both UEFA and FIFA.
Israel still yet to be banned from football
Following increasing pressure, reports claimed UEFA were poised to discuss a potential ban on Israel in a vote from its executive committee but it was paused when Trump announced his peace proposal.
Despite opposition from a whole host of nations, Israel were not banned from participating in World Cup qualifiers and finished third in Group I behind Norway and Italy, who both protested about their presence.
They took 12 points from eight games, finishing the campaign with a 4-1 win over Moldova on Sunday.
More than 70 athletes including Paul Pogba and Hakim Ziyech signed an open letter calling on UEFA to follow the precedent they set with Russia's ban after the Ukraine invasion, by suspending Israel from competing.
The letter was delivered to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who has said he is not in favour of banning athletes as he does not believe it serves a purpose.
In addition, it has been reported the he Football Association of Ireland (FAI) voted heavily in favour to submit a motion to suspend Israel from all UEFA competitions.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, who led the team to the World Cup in stunning fashion, has called for UEFA and FIFA take action as he doesn't "see a difference between FIFA and UEFA banning Russia and not Israel".
Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Premier League
Josh Lawless