False Claims of Pep Guardiola Snubbing Israeli Official Debunked: Mistaken Identity Revealed

A viral video that purportedly showed Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola ignoring an Israeli official at the 2023 FA Cup final has been debunked. The individual in the video was not an Israeli representative, but Alan Smith, the former Crystal Palace manager.

The video, which circulated widely on social media, led to false claims that Guardiola had snubbed an Israeli official. In the clip, Guardiola is seen shaking hands with several people in the front row of the stadium, but seemingly bypassing one individual. This person was later identified as Smith, not an Israeli representative.

The incident took place during the 2023 FA Cup final. The video was shared on Instagram with the caption, "In yet another viral video, a Man City manager ignores and refuses to shake hands with an Israeli representative." However, this claim was quickly debunked.

A Reuters Fact Check investigation clarified that the video actually showed Guardiola collecting a Community Shield runners-up medal after a defeat to Arsenal in August 2023. This event occurred two months before the escalation of violence in the Palestinian Territories, further dispelling the false narrative.

Alan Smith, the former Crystal Palace manager, attended the game as a guest of the FA. Smith himself stated, "I was not and have never been an Israeli representative." He also mentioned that he enjoys good relations with Manchester City and its officials, suggesting that Guardiola may have simply been distracted when he appeared to miss the handshake.

This incident highlights the rapid spread of misinformation on social media and the importance of verifying facts before drawing conclusions. It highlights the potential for misunderstandings and the need for careful scrutiny of viral content.

To recap, the viral video falsely claiming that Pep Guardiola snubbed an Israeli official has been thoroughly debunked. The individual in question was Alan Smith, the former Crystal Palace manager, and not an Israeli representative.

Key Takeaways

• Viral video shows Pep Guardiola "ignoring" an Israeli official at 2023 FA Cup final, but it's false.
• The individual in the video is Alan Smith, former Crystal Palace manager, not an Israeli representative.
• The incident occurred at the Community Shield, not the FA Cup final.
• Guardiola was collecting a runners-up medal, not snubbing an Israeli official.
• The incident highlights the dangers of misinformation on social media.