Guardiola condemns Israel’s actions and global inaction in Gaza

November 18, 2025 Oliver Obel

A charity football match in Barcelona has grown into something far bigger than a sporting exhibition, drawing supporters who say the world has failed civilians trapped in Gaza. Among them is Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who has taken one of his clearest public positions on the conflict so far.

The match, which features Catalonia hosting Palestine, is being billed as a fundraiser, but it has also become a stage for political expression.

Catalonia’s solidarity match grows into a political statement

Catalonia’s Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium will host the game on Tuesday, in an event put together by ACT X Palestine. Organisers told the Catalan broadcaster RAC1 that roughly 25,000 tickets had already been sold.

They expect the proceeds to go toward rebuilding parts of Gaza that have been heavily damaged during the war. Support for the initiative has come from an unusual mix of politicians, musicians, and former athletes who say the cause resonates strongly in the region.

The backdrop remains grim. According to Israeli authorities, the conflict escalated after the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages being taken.

Gaza’s health ministry says more than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed since. Several UN human rights experts have argued that Israel’s actions amount to genocide — a description Israel firmly rejects.

Diplomacy has struggled to keep pace. A ceasefire exists on paper, though few observers describe it as stable. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he is trying to help broker an end to the fighting, but there is little sign of a lasting agreement.

In the sports world, pressure on Israel has increased. More than 70 athletes have signed a petition urging UEFA to suspend the country from its competitions, including former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

The Football Association of Ireland made a similar request last November, adding some institutional weight to the calls.

Guardiola’s criticism adds new pressure as calls for accountability rise

Guardiola was asked about the issue ahead of the match, and he did not hold back. Speaking to RAC1, he said the game mattered to people far beyond Barcelona.

“It is a more than symbolic match,” he said. “Nowadays, everything is known and with this confrontation, the Palestinians will see that there is a part of the world that thinks of them.”

He then shifted to the broader conflict and the response from global leaders. “The world has left Palestine alone,” he said. “We have done absolutely nothing. They are not at fault for being born there. We have all allowed them to destroy an entire people. The damage is already done and it is irreparable.”

Guardiola added that he struggled to understand how anyone could defend the civilian deaths in Gaza. “Our children could be there and be murdered just for being born there,” he said. “I have very little faith in the leaders. They do whatever it takes to stay in power.”

He acknowledged that symbolic displays have limits — a football match can’t change government policy — but he argued they can still matter. “There is always a reason to demonstrate,” he said.

“In this case, it is a football match. It is symbolic, but it is better that the Palestinians can think that for a while we are there and that the stadium brings joy.”

The match also reflects something rooted in Catalonia’s own political culture. The region has a long history of adopting international solidarity causes, especially those tied to national identity or self-determination. Several organisers said that tradition is part of why the event came together so quickly.

Guardiola has spoken out before. Last October, he supported a demonstration in Barcelona calling for greater action to protect civilians in Gaza. In a video message shared at the time, he said thousands of children had already been killed and warned that more would die without urgent intervention.

“The Gaza Strip is devastated,” he said, urging mass mobilisation at a protest scheduled for the centre of the city.

Sources: RAC1, Israeli authorities, Gaza Health Ministry, UN experts and special rapporteurs.