Share and Follow
Tottenham Hotspur has declined a request for Kanye West to perform at their stadium, citing his history of anti-Semitic remarks and the club’s longstanding Jewish connections.
Instead, the controversial rapper has been scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival, which is now facing significant backlash. This controversy has already led to the withdrawal of two major sponsors.
Pepsi announced on Sunday morning that it would be pulling its sponsorship in response to Kanye West’s involvement, a move that was soon followed by Diageo, the parent company of brands like Guinness, Johnnie Walker, and Captain Morgan.
It has come to light that Kanye West’s team initially reached out to the North London football club with hopes of securing the stadium for his comeback tour before ultimately turning to Wireless Festival.
A source revealed to The Sun, “As part of his major music comeback, Kanye’s team believed he deserved a headline series of shows, choosing the Tottenham stadium as their preferred venue.”
‘But when they approached Tottenham with their proposal, the club rejected it.
‘There was no way they would allow Kanye to perform at the club given its history with the Jewish community.’
Kanye West was turned down from playing at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium, it has emerged
The rapper’s team approached the club before making an offer to Wireless Festival, which was accepted
These failed negotiations are said to have unfolded before the Kayne’s entourage made an offer to Wireless, which was accepted.
He is currently down to headline all three nights of the festival in Finsbury Park, north London, on July 10, 11 and 12.
But its organisers are facing a growing storm of criticism, and intense pressure to strike him off the line-up.
Before pulling out, Pepsi was the festival’s primary sponsor, with the full title listed on the website as ‘Pepsi presents Wireless’.
But on Sunday morning, it released a statement saying: ‘Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival.’
Diageo was another key partner, but has also washed its hands of the event as things stand, saying: ‘We have informed the organisers of our concerns and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival.’
Remaining sponsors, including AB InBev, owner of Budweiser, and PayPal, have yet to comment on their involvement in light of Kanye being unveiled.
Wireless Festival has incurred a furious backlash after announcing Kanye West as its headliner for all three nights
West incited worldwide condemnation after developing a foul habit of anti-semitism. He unleashed several hate-filled rants on social media, in which he identified himself as a Nazi, and last year released a song called Heil Hitler.
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey called on the Government to ban Kanye West from the UK, insisting we ‘need to get tougher on anti-semitism’.
The power to ban the rapper from entering the country rests with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Under UK immigration rules, a person can be denied entry based on their character, conduct or associations when these could threaten the British public.
This can include opinions that ‘foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK’.
Sir Keir told The Sun on Sunday: ‘It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous anti-semitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.
‘Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly whatever it appears.
‘Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.’
The Jewish Leadership Council similarly slated Wireless festival for booking the musician – and said the decision was ‘deeply irresponsible’.
Tottenham Hotspur declined to comment.
The Daily Mail has contacted Wireless Festival for comment.