It does come as somewhat of a surprise, however, that one cultural point of contact between Manilow and the "beautiful game" is English anti-Semitism.
As I have posted before I am always struck by the depth of English anti-Semitism. We must recall that this is the country that purged all Jews in the 13th century. Even Shakespeare, the writer who so habitually extends a certain hospitality to all ("what you will") has at the center of his canon the disturbing treatment of Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. Prior to WW1 and WW2 links between English and German aristocracy were quite strong. More recently, frustration with the politics of Israel and Muslim immigration patterns have turned UK universities into a rather scary place to be if you are a Jew. Toss in a little anti-Americanism and an anti-American political correctness and well....
You find things like the Tottenham Soccer Club's toleration for their fans who insist on calling themselves the "Yid" army (the north London neighborhood was once mainly Jewish). Only in the last few years has there been a call to correct this.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8450760/Anti-Semitic-abuse-rife-among-football-fans.html
This kind of anti-Semitic language and thought is tough to manage in part because it can be easily yoked to a seemingly affectionate, ironic, lads will be lads kind of behavior. Enter Manilow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZmhlSSuakQ
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