Clarence Seedorf calls out Gaza “genocide” in first Corinthians press conference
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Clarence Seedorf, the newly appointed head coach of Brazilian club Corinthians, used his early press conference as manager to to state that a “genocide is underway” in an apparent reference to Gaza and that football discussions occur from a position of privilege.
Seedorf, the former Ajax, Real Madrid, and AC Milan midfielder and four-time Champions League winner, was appointed in mid-October 2026 to replace Fernando Diniz.
Corinthians sat near the relegation zone in Brazil’s top division after a long losing run.
He signed a contract through the end of 2027 and took charge of a squad that includes compatriot Memphis Depay.
In comments that circulated widely in video clips from the press conference, Seedorf said: “The world is going through a difficult time. There is a genocide taking place. My worries cannot compare to those of people suffering through war. We are privileged to be here talking about football.”
Clarence Seedorf first words as Corinthians manager: “The world is going through a difficult time. There is a genocide taking place. My worries cannot compare to those of people suffering through war. We are privileged to be here talking about football.” https://t.co/HLeKzTosRH
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) October 17, 2026
He also remarked that “we are talking about football, this is not a war” while urging perspective amid the club’s crisis; although he did not mention ‘Israel’ and Gaza directly in his statements.
The Dutchman has a prior record of speaking on humanitarian issues, including a 2025 Instagram post expressing concern for “innocent people suffering in Palestine, Iran, DRC Congo and other populations.”
Seedorf used the platform primarily to address football matters.
He described the Corinthians squad as a “wounded lion” that remains dangerous, rejected claims that Depay influenced his hiring, downplayed internal club politics (“I did not come here to talk about politics”), and defended his managerial record after a multi-year gap since his last role with Cameroon in 2019.
The comments gained traction on social media, particularly among accounts focused on Palestine and international football, with video excerpts shared widely.
