Former England soccer star Wayne Rooney says grandma was Polish Jew during Auschwitz visit

Former England soccer star Wayne Rooney revealed in his Disney+ documentary that his maternal grandmother was a Polish Jew, making him Jewish by Halacha. The revelation came during a family trip to Auschwitz, initiated by his 10-year-old son's school project. Campaign Against Antisemitism responded, noting the news counters antisemitic tropes about Jewish physical weakness in sports.

Former England soccer star Wayne Rooney revealed in his Disney+ documentary 'The Real Rooneys' that his maternal grandmother was a Polish Jew, making him Jewish by Halacha (Jewish law). The disclosure came during a family trip to Auschwitz, Poland, initiated by his 10-year-old son Kit's school project on World War II. Rooney told his taxi driver on the way to the camp that he had watched many documentaries on the Holocaust and 'you just wouldn't think human beings could do that to other human beings.' He had previously visited Auschwitz with England teammates during the 2012 Euros, which were held in Poland and Ukraine. Campaign Against Antisemitism responded on X/Twitter, stating the news 'is a reminder that the idea that Jewish people are not sporty is a myth laced with antisemitic tropes about Jewish physical weakness.' The organization noted that before WWII, Jewish people were at the pinnacle of European sport across disciplines including football. Rooney could become the first English-born Jewish player in the Premier League, potentially surpassing Nick Blackman, who debuted in 2009 while Rooney debuted for Everton in 2002.