Tottenham Hotspur refused to let Kanye West perform at its stadium in light of his record of racism and the club’s historic Jewish links.
The disgraced rapper was instead booked by Wireless Festival, which is facing a furious backlash that has so far seen two major sponsors pull out.
Pepsi announced on Sunday morning it was withdrawing its sponsorship in protest against Kanye headlining, and Diageo, owner of Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan, followed suit hours later.
Keir Starmer, meanwhile, has called the booking ‘deeply concerning’ given the rapper’s previous ‘antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism’ – and there is speculation he might be blocked from entering the country at all.
Now, it has emerged that Kanye’s team approached the north London football club about playing its stadium, before they considered Wireless.
A source told The Sun: ‘As part of his big music comeback, they thought he warranted a headline run of shows and chose the Tottenham stadium as their venue of choice.
‘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.
