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Football Association adopts International Definition of Antisemitism

The Football Association, often known by its abbreviation FA, has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

FA chief executive officer Mark Bullingham said in a statement: “Tackling all forms of discrimination and promoting equality has long been a priority for the FA as we strive for a game that is a truly safe and inclusive environment for all. Adopting this working definition is an important step and it will provide clarity across football on what language or actions may be considered antisemitic. We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and everyone within football to reaffirm the message that antisemitic behaviour is completely unacceptable.”

Recently, the Premier League and nineteen of its member clubs adopted the Definition (Sheffield United declined to do so), as did Championship clubs Watford and Brentford.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has consistently backed efforts by the Government to encourage widespread adoption of the Definition by local authorities, universities, public bodies and other institutions. The UK was the first country in the world to adopt the Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Pickles and others worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street.

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Brentford Football Club adopts International Definition of Antisemitism

Brentford Football Club has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

Kevin Coleman, the Championship club’s Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion said: “Through the adoption of this definition, we aim to increase the understanding of antisemitism within our supporters, staff, and the wider football family. This will be an addition to all of our work to engage more meaningfully with all of our local faith communities, whether in terms of positive and proactive engagement or dealing with unacceptable language and behaviour.”

The Bees join fellow Championship club Watford and nineteen Premiership clubs and the Premier League who have all adopted the Definition. The twentieth Premiership club, Sheffield United, declined to do so.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has consistently backed efforts by the Government to encourage widespread adoption of the Definition by local authorities, universities, public bodies and other institutions. The UK was the first country in the world to adopt the Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Pickles and others worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street.

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Watford Football Club adopts International Definition of Antisemitism

Watford Football Club has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

In a statement, the Championship club said: “Through the adoption of this definition, we aim to increase the understanding of antisemitism within our supporters, staff, and the wider football family.” The statement added: “It will also become an additional key element within our educational process moving forward, should we receive reports of antisemitism, specifically around acceptable language and behaviour.”

The Hornets join nineteen Premiership clubs and the Premier League, which all adopted the Definition last month. The twentieth club, Sheffield United, declined to do so.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has consistently backed efforts by the Government to encourage widespread adoption of the Definition by local authorities, universities, public bodies and other institutions. The UK was the first country in the world to adopt the Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Pickles and others worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street.

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Celtic fans call the club’s Israeli midfielder a “dirty Jew bastard” and a “Zionist rat” after loss to rival Rangers

Celtic fans have unleashed a torrent of abuse at the club’s Israeli midfielder after a weekend derby saw a loss to rival Rangers.

Nir Bitton was called a “dirty Jew bastard” and a “Zionist rat” on social media after receiving a red card in the match. His wife also revealed that she has been subjected to abuse, including calls for her and her husband to be “hanged”. One post said: “Here you ya cow, you and yer husband deserve tae be hung on the streets. F**k you and yer wains.”

Their two children have also reportedly had abuse directed at them as well.

This is not the first time that Mr Bitton has disclosed the abuse he suffers from some of the club’s fans; in 2016 the police launched an investigation after a Celtic fan said that Mr Bitton should be gassed.

It is also not Celtic’s first brush with controversy over Jews or Israel, having been sanctioned by UEFA in the past over persistent problems. In the Scottish FA Cup final in 2016, for example, fans displayed a banner reading “end Zionism”. A Jewish former director of the club was also subjected to abuse by fans, including “Get this Ashkenazi c*** out of OUR club and take that other fake jew p**** Bitton with him [sic]”, and “He’s a Jew what do you expect”.

A spokesperson for Celtic FC said that it has passed its fans’ “vile” comments to Police Scotland and called for those responsible to be identified, adding that “all appropriate action should be taken”. The spokesperson added that “those responsible for such vile comments do not represent Celtic or Celtic supporters. They are faceless and nameless.”

Late last year, the Premier League and all of its constituent clubs bar Sheffield United adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “With this latest episode of antisemitic abuse, a group of Celtic FC’s fans have once again brought shame on their club with their appalling Jew-baiting. This antisemitism is even more astonishing when such abuse is directed at the team’s own players and staff. We commend the club for reporting these individuals to the police and would be happy to assist in identifying the perpetrators. We hope that the club will also follow the example of clubs south of the border which have adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.”

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Argentine rugby trio suspended for racist tweets, then reinstated

Just two days after three players from Argentina’s national rugby team were suspended for antisemitic and other racist tweets posted a decade ago, they have been reinstated.

The offensive messages, directed at Jews, Black people and immigrants from other South American countries, were made in 2011 and 2012 by team captain Pablo Matera, Guido Petti and Santiago Socino.

The tweets came to light last week, after which all three players were suspended. But two days later they were reinstated .

In one of the messages, Mr Socino named a soccer team from the Jewish neighbourhood of Villa Crespo, and using a slang expression that references killing Jews to make soap, he wrote: “What a mess could be in Villa Crespo if Hitler were alive [sic].”  In another tweet, Mr Socino mocked circumcision and made reference to the stereotype of Jews being mean.

Mr Matera spoke of “running over Blacks” with his car and was offensive about Bolivians and Paraguayans.

After the offensive tweets became public, the Argentina Rugby Union opened disciplinary proceedings and said: “The Argentina Rugby Union condemns any instance of hate speech and considers it unacceptable that anyone expressing those views would represent our country.” Mr Matera was also stripped of the captaincy.

Two days later, however, following pressure from other members of the national team and other Argentine rugby clubs, the Argentina Rugby Union reinstated the players, who were allowed to play in the match against Australia on 5th December.

Following a meeting of the Rugby body and the Jewish community, the union’s website said that a Jewish organisation had offered to assist with education “to raise awareness” around discrimination and prejudice.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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In “scandalous” decision, Sheffield United is sole Premier League football club not to adopt International Definition of Antisemitism

Sheffield United is the only football club of the Premier League’s twenty member clubs to refuse to adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism.

The Premier League and the other nineteen clubs adopted the Definition yesterday, but The Blades have declined to do so.

It is hoped that this adoption will enable the Premier League to identify and discipline anti-Jewish racism among players and employees, and will send a signal to fans that antisemitism has no place in football. Sheffield United’s decision not to adopt the Definition sends precisely the opposite message.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “We and others have worked hard to ensure widespread adoption of the International Definition of Antisemitism, with Lord Mann in particular campaigning vociferously for the Premier League and its constituent clubs to adopt it. Their decision to do so is a momentous day for everyone who opposes racism in sport.

“It is therefore all the more astonishing that Sheffield United alone would disgracefully decline to adopt the Definition. It sends absolutely the wrong message to fans and players, and undermines the growing consensus that racism has no place in football. Serious questions must now be asked of the owners and management of the club over this scandalous own goal.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has consistently backed efforts by the Government to encourage widespread adoption of the Definition by local authorities, universities, public bodies and other institutions. The UK was the first country in the world to adopt the Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Pickles and others worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street.

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Premier League adopts International Definition of Antisemitism

The Premier League has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

It is hoped that this adoption will enable the Premier League to identify and discipline anti-Jewish racism among players and employees, and will send a signal to fans that antisemitism has no place in football.

Bill Bush, executive director of the Premier League, said: “The Premier League is committed to tackling any form of discrimination in football. Our adoption of the IHRA’s working definition will enable us to be more effective in dealing with any antisemitic behaviour targeting our clubs or personnel. We continue to work closely with clubs and relevant authorities to ensure that any incident of discrimination is dealt with appropriately. The adoption of the [International] Definition of Antisemitism is the latest step in the Premier League’s continued work to ensure that football is a welcoming environment for all.”

Lord Mann, the Government’s Independent Advisor on Antisemitism, has campaigned vociferously with football clubs for the adoption of the Definition in the sport. The anti-racism group Kick It Out  and the Jewish Leadership Council also contributed to the campaign.

Earlier this year, Chelsea became the first Premiership football club to adopt the Definition.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has consistently backed efforts by the Government to encourage widespread adoption of the Definition by local authorities, universities, public bodies and other institutions. The UK was the first country in the world to adopt the Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Pickles and others worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street.

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NASCAR driver suspended for antisemitic social media post

Josh Reaume, a part-time driver in the Xfinity and Truck series this season, has been suspended for a recent controversial post on one of his social media channels following a violation of NASCAR’s anti-discrimination behavioural policy.

The driver reportedly posted an image of a slice of toast, with a spread in the shape of a swastika, on his Snapchat account on 5th November. The photograph was then captured by an unidentified source and submitted to NASCAR for review.

In a recent public statement, the NASCAR driver said: “On Thursday I posted a picture of my evening snack and it was taken out of context. It was never meant to offend anybody and I’m sorry if it did.” He expressed that he is proud to have grown up in an ethnically diverse family and argues that his team has the most diverse set of drivers in the history of stock car racing. Mr Reaume hopes to participate in Daytona International Speedway following the apology.

NASCAR officials have confirmed that the indefinite suspension and behavioural penalty will remain in place.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Argentine Football Association adopts International Definition of Antisemitism

The Argentine Football Association (AFA), which governs all Argentinian club activity, adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism on 8th October in a move to combat discrimination in the sport. The two-time World Cup winner Argentina is the first national football association to have adopted the Definition.

In the previous day the University of Buenos Aires, with more than 300,000 students, also adopted the Definition.

In recent years, the country’s football culture has come under criticism for several antisemitic controversies. In 2018, fans of the Atlanta team, a Buenos Aires club that is home to a large Jewish neighbourhood and has featured many Jewish players, were targets for chants that stated, “killing the Jews to make soap”, a reference to the claim that the Nazis made soap out of the dead bodies of Jewish victims.

At a football game this year a rival Argentine player, Arnaldo González, made antisemitic gestures towards the rival Atlanta team. While leaving the field, the player placed his hand on his head to imitate a kippah and gestured to his genitals as fans jeered. The AFA decided to adopt the Definition as a direct response to rising antisemitism, particularly amongst spectators, in the sport.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has consistently backed the widespread adoption of the Definition internationally. The UK was the first country in the world to adopt the International Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Eric Pickles and others worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street. Since then, numerous other national governments –including Argentina’s – and institutions have followed suit.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist us with this project.

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“Whoever doesn’t jump is a Jew!”: Dutch Fox channel criticised for adding offensive chants to Ajax football match soundtrack

A popular Dutch network has been criticised for including offensive chants in the soundtrack used for the first half of a recent football game.

With COVID-19 prevention measures in place, professional sporting events are being held in empty stadiums in The Netherlands and many television stations are consequently using pre-recorded audience sound when broadcasting games to simulate the usual atmosphere.

In FOX Sports Netherlands’ live broadcast of the 4th October match between Amsterdam team Ajax and a rival team from Groningen, the network used recordings from previous games that included the well-known chant, “Whoever doesn’t jump is a Jew!”.

Supporters of rival teams use the chant to taunt and mock Ajax players and fans. Ajax is a team that many fans label “the Jews” because of Amsterdam’s rich Jewish history and the club’s long association with the Jewish community. However, the designation is used not only against Ajax by also by the team’s own supporters; at many football matches, Ajax fans have been seen waving Israeli flags and shouting support for “the Jews” and Jewish immigrants as a proxy for showing support for the team.

A young Dutch rival supporter told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in 2017 that: “I have nothing against your people. When I say I hate Jews, I just mean supporters of Ajax.”

In recent years, however, the derogatory chant has also been heard at several Islamist and neo-Nazi rallies and protests in the country.

Following public criticism, FOX Sports Netherlands apologised for the “human error” that led to the inclusion of the chant in its soundtrack for the game and the network says that it has removed the fragment for future events. FOX News Netherlands wrote on Twitter: “We offer our sincere apologies and are looking into how this could have happened and how to make sure it does not recur.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism have expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.

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Matt Le Tissier is right to apologise for comparing rules on mask-wearing during COVID-19 pandemic to the Holocaust

Matt Le Tissier has apologised for comparing rules on mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic to the Holocaust in a highly controversial and ill-considered social media post.

The football pundit, who was until recently a fixture on Sky Sports and continues to serve as an ambassador for Southampton Football Club, shared an image on Twitter that had been posted by another user in response to a police officer challenging a train passenger for not wearing a protective face mask.

The image showed the famous child victim of the Holocaust, Anna Frank, with the caption: “The people who hid Anne Frank were breaking the law. The people who killed her were following it.”

After a social media backlash, Mr Le Tissier apologised, saying: “Apologies for the recent tweet. Obviously taken out of context so I’ve deleted it so there’s no confusion.” It is not, however, clear what the “context” was other than a comparison between a law requiring people to wear masks to reduce the spread of a pandemic and the systematic genocide of the Jewish people.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “Matt Le Tissier is right to apologise for a grossly ill-considered tweet. Everyone is free to express an opinion on the pandemic and lockdown within the bounds of the law, but their opinions should also be expressed within the bounds of taste. Comparing the need to wear a protective mask to protect oneself and others during a worldwide pandemic is in no sense comparable to the systematic murder of over six million Jews because of who they were. Hopefully Mr Le Tissier has now grasped that elementary distinction.”

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Jewish Wimbledon champion and campaigner against antisemitism Angela Buxton has died

The former Wimbledon champion and campaigner against antisemitism, Angela Buxton, has died, just shy of her 86th birthday.

Ms Buxton, whose grandparents had immigrated to the UK from Russia, was born to a Jewish family in Liverpool and began playing tennis early, eventually winning the women’s singles title at the 1953 Maccabiah Games and placing runner-up in the 1956 women’s final at Wimbledon. But in the same year, she momentously won the women’s doubles title at both the French Open and Wimbledon championship with her black American playing partner, Althea Gibson.

Both made great strides together for their communities in the sport, and Buxton was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in 2015, thanks to her partnership and friendship with Gibson.

A year later Ms Buxton was forced to retire due to a hand injury.

Ms Buxton was denied admission to the All England Club, where the Wimbledon Championships is played, even though the Club traditionally awards Wimbledon winners with a lifetime membership. She claimed the refusal was due to antisemitism. She reportedly continued to apply every year for 64 years. (The Club reportedly denied the accusation.)

She said to The Sunday Times last year: “It’s an unfortunate example of how the British really treat Jews in this country. This sort of thing exacerbates the feeling towards Jews. It’s perfectly ridiculous, it’s laughable. It speaks volumes.”

She also revealed other experiences with antisemitism, including when, as a teenager, she was refused access to a leading tennis club in London after the coach apparently told her: “You’re perfectly good, but you’re Jewish. We don’t take Jews here.” Instead, she reportedly practiced on the private court of the Jewish owner of Marks & Spencer, Simon Marks.

Ms Buxton was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall in Israel in 1981.

In a tribute, tennis legend Billie Jean King called Ms Buxton “a true champion”.

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International Olympics Committee apologises for tweet that appeared to celebrate the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games in Nazi Germany

The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has apologised for posting a tweet that appeared to celebrate the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games hosted by Nazi Germany.

To mark the lighting of the Olympic cauldron a year in advance of the postponed Tokyo Games, the IOC tweeted a film about the conclusion of the first-ever Olympic torch relay, when the torch entered the stadium at the Berlin Games.

The 1936 Berlin Olympic Games was used by the Nazi regime to try to sanitise its global image, hide its nascent atrocities and advance its racial ideology. The latter objective was shattered most famously by Jesse Owens, the Black American athlete who won four gold medals at the Games. At least six Jewish athletes – Samuel Balter of the United States, Gyorgy Brody, Miklos Sarkany, Karoly Karpati and Endre Kabos of Hungary and Robert Fein of Austria – also won gold medals in basketball, water polo, wrestling, fencing and weightlifting.

The IOC deleted the tweet and wrote: “We apologize to those who feel offended by the film of the Olympic Games Berlin 1936. We have deleted this film, which was part of the series of films featuring the message of unity and solidarity, from the @Olympics Twitter account.”

Avery Brundage, who led the United States’ team in the Berlin Olympics, served as President of the IOC for twenty years until 1972, and is widely considered to have been a Nazi sympathiser with racist views.

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Port Vale to appeal FA’s six-match ban and £3,500 fine for footballer Tom Pope over antisemitic Twitter post

The Football Association (FA) has banned Tom Pope for six matches and fined him £3,500 over an antisemitic Twitter post.

Earlier this year, the Port Vale striker responded to a request online to predict the course of a hypothetical Third World War. Mr Pope tweeted: “We invade Iran then Cuba then North Korea then the Rothchilds [sic] are crowned champions of every bank on the planet – the end.” The tweet has since been deleted.

After being warned by other Twitter users that his tweet could be construed as racist, he said: “I mentioned them owning the banks which is fact and now I’m facing all this,” adding: “How is it racist?? Seriously is someone out to destroy me or what?”

Port Vale then released a statement in which Mr Pope apologised.

Nevertheless, the FA investigated the incident as an ‘Aggravated Breach’ of Rule E3(2), which prohibits abusive speech with reference, whether expressed or implied, to race and/or religion and/or ethnic origin, and Mr Pope has been found to have breached the Rule.

Port Vale is expected to appeal the ruling.

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Chelsea to host antisemitism conference with Chief Rabbi, prominent politicians and leading Israeli newspaper

Chelsea football club intends to host a conference on antisemitism in conjunction with The Jerusalem Post newspaper, which will feature Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and the Israeli ambassador.

Other proposed speakers at the March event, which will also cover bilateral ties between the UK and Israel, include the former Labour MP Lord Mann, who now serves as the Government’s independent advisor on antisemitism, as well as the parliamentary chair of Conservative Friends of Israel and senior Israeli politicians. The captain of Israel’s national women’s football team is also due to feature.

The event is due to take place at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium, and is part of the club’s “Say No To Antisemitism” campaign, which was launched in January 2018.

The club’s chairman said that the event could “further highlight the importance to tackle the rise of antisemitism we have seen across the world.”

The announcement comes only a week after undercover footage taken for a BBC documentary was reported to have shown supporters of Chelsea Football Club singing antisemitic songs, making gas chamber noises and performing Nazi salutes.

In January, Chelsea unveiled a mural dedicated to footballers who were interned in concentration camps, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The club has also adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

At the unveiling of the mural, Lord Mann told football clubs to enhance their efforts to tackle antisemitism and racism in stadiums, warning that “I have a voice and it will get more brutal if they don’t.”

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Chelsea fans caught on video singing antisemitic songs, making gas chamber noises and performing Nazi salutes

Undercover footage taken for a BBC documentary reportedly shows supporters of Chelsea Football Club singing antisemitic songs, making gas chamber noises and performing Nazi salutes.

The incidents reportedly took place in France in October 2019 on the day that Chelsea beat Lille in the Champions League.

The group of fans were chanting: “We hate Tottenham – Yids! We hate Tottenham – Yids!”. Two members of the group appeared to be making Nazi salutes.

In another segment, a supporter is seen on a train leading a different song about the Tottenham player, Martin Chivers: “Chivers was a Jew. The thing between his eyes was twice the normal size. Yiddo, Yiddo, Yiddo.”

Also on a train in Lille on the same day, fans are heard in the video hissing, apparently to imitate the noise of a gas chamber.

The clips were filmed in the making of a documentary titled Shame In The Game, which explores the persistence of racism in football.

The Club pledged to investigate “as soon as we are able to view the video” after it is broadcasted tomorrow.

This is not the first incident implicating Chelsea fans in behaviour of this kind.

Last month, Chelsea unveiled a mural at its stadium to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

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Port Vale striker Tom Pope charged with “aggravated breach” of FA rules over “improper” Rothschild tweet

Tom Pope, the Port Vale forward, has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over a tweet referencing the Rothschilds, and may face a sanction.

Responding to a request to predict the course of a hypothetical Third World War, Mr Pope tweeted: “We invade Iran then Cuba then North Korea then the Rothchilds [sic] are crowned champions of every bank on the planet – the end.” The tweet has since been deleted.

After being warned by other Twitter users that his tweet could be construed as racist, he said: “I mentioned them owning the banks which is fact and now I’m facing all this,” adding: “How is it racist?? Seriously is someone out to destroy me or what?”

It is understood that the FA has considered launching an investigation, as is Mr Pope’s Port Vale club.

Mr Pope has since apologised.

The FA said: “Tom Pope has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a social media post on 5 January 2020.

“It is alleged that his social media activity breaches FA Rule E3(1) as it was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It is also alleged that his social media activity constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as it included a reference, whether expressed or implied, to race and/or religion and/or ethnic origin.

“The Port Vale forward has until 12th February 2020 to respond.”

Mr Pope has already been banned for one match and given a fine in connection with other, unrelated “improper comments” on social media.

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Lord Mann urges football clubs to act against antisemitism among their fans

Lord Mann, the Government’s independent advisor on antisemitism, has told football clubs to enhance their efforts to tackle antisemitism and racism in stadiums, warning that “I have a voice and it will get more brutal if they don’t.”

He made the remarks at the unveiling of a mural at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge honouring three footballers imprisoned by the Nazis. The mural was designed by a British-Israeli artist as part of Chelsea’s ‘Say No To Antisemitism’ campaign.

Lord Mann told attendees: “If I thought doing this was a PR stunt I wouldn’t be here. It could have huge ramifications in the fight against hate. I want other premier league clubs to follow Chelsea’s lead and speak out. I have a voice and it will get more brutal if they don’t.”

Bruce Buck, the club’s chairman, said the club’s commitment to fighting anti-Jewish racism was “never ending” and had “no time frame”, adding: “Maybe if antisemitism stops we’ll stop – but that’s not likely in our lifetime. It’s a very important project for Roman [Abramovich, the club’s owner].”

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Chelsea FC to erect mural to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Chelsea Football Club has reportedly commissioned a British-Israeli artist to create a large mural to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

The twelve metres by seven metres work of art will incorporate three footballers who were sent to Auschwitz during the War, namely Julius Hirsh, the first Jewish player to represent Germany and who played for the national side seven times between 1911 and 1913 and was sent to the extermination camp in 1943; Arpad Weisz, the Jewish Hungarian football player and manager who was murdered at Auschwitz in 1944; and Ron Jones, a British prisoner of war who came to be known as the “Goalkepper of Auschwitz” after playing in the Auschwitz Football League. Mr Jones was liberated by the Americans and returned to Wales where he lived until his death in 2019.

The mural project is part of Chelsea’s Say ‘No to Antisemitism’ campaign, backed and funded by the team’s owner, Roman Abramovich.

The artist, Solomon Souza, moved to Israel from the UK as a teenager and is known for spray-painted murals in Israel. His grandmother escaped the Nazis from Prague in 1939 and came to the UK.

The mural will be unveiled at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium on 15th January, in advance of Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January.

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Port Vale striker Tom Pope apologises for Rothschild tweet as FA investigation looms

Tom Pope, the Port Vale forward, has apologised for a tweet he sent several hours after scoring in his club’s FA Cup third round defeat to Manchester City.

Responding to a request to predict the course of a hypothetical Third World War, Mr Pope tweeted: “We invade Iran then Cuba then North Korea then the Rothchilds [sic] are crowned champions of every bank on the planet – the end.” The tweet has since been deleted.

After being warned by other Twitter users that his tweet could be construed as racist, he said: “I mentioned them owning the banks which is fact and now I’m facing all this,” adding: “How is it racist?? Seriously is someone out to destroy me or what?”

It is understood that the FA has considered launching an investigation, as is Mr Pope’s Port Vale club.

However, Port Vale has now published a statement from Mr Pope that states: “Following the reaction to my response on Twitter about the Rothschilds, I was unaware of any link between the Rothchild (sic) family and the Jewish community. If I have caused offence to anyone, I’d like to apologise enormously as this was never my intention.”

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Football pundit and former footballer, Perry Groves, apologises for saying player had “a Holocaust of a game” on live radio show

Football pundit and former footballer, Perry Groves, reportedly described a player as having “a Holocaust of a game” on a live radio show.

The comment was made during TalkSPORT’s Warm Up show at 11:00 on Sunday. Mr Groves, who formerly played for Arsenal, was discussing Sheffield United’s win over Brighton on Saturday with co-host Max Rushden.

Mr Groves referred to goalkeeper Mat Ryan’s performance in the match, when he said the player “had a Holocaust of a game.”

Condemnation from outraged listeners was swift. The Holocaust was the planned, brutal genocide of Jews and others in Europe and many British Jews are the descendants of Holocaust survivors or those who escaped to Britain, so it is unsurprising that many people were upset by Mr Groves’ distasteful Holocaust reference.

Shortly after the comment, Mr Groves apologised live on air: “I’d just like to sincerely apologise for my misuse of words earlier. I didn’t mean to offend anybody and if I have offended anybody I’m truly, genuinely sorry and that is from my heart.”

This is not the first time a Holocaust reference has been made on TalkSPORT. In February last year, former Hull City manager Phil Brown issued a heartfelt apology to Campaign Against Antisemitism for also making a “Holocaust of a game” comment.

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Tottenham Hotspur publishes results of consultation on use of the word “Yid” at football games

Tottenham Hotspur, the North London-based football club, has published the results of its consultation with fans on their use of the word “Yid” at football games.

The consultation was launched in August and the Club received more than 23,000 responses. According to the survey, 33 percent of respondents use the word “Yid”, which is a Yiddish word for “Jew”, regularly in a football context. Of those who do not use the word regularly, eighteen percent said that they find the term “offensive”, with that number rising to 35 percent among Jewish respondents.

Nevertheless, the use of the word among Jewish fans was quite evenly divided, with 36 percent of Jewish respondents regularly chanting the word, 30 percent “occasionally” chanting it and and 34 percent never chanting it. One respondent said: “I am Jewish and find the regular use of the Y-word offensive. I don’t believe most Spurs fans understand its connotations and history.”

94 percent acknowledge that the word can be considered a racist term against a Jewish person, and only twelve percent would use it outside of a footballing context. One fan said: “While the intention of Spurs fans is good, and supportive of Jews, it is still a word that could cause offence,” while another wrote: “I like the tribal way that the term is changed but being a black man, I would like to know whether the Jewish community is offended by its use at our matches before I’d even consider using it.”

Almost half of the respondents would prefer to see supporters chant the word less or not at all.

The Club maintains that the word was historically adopted by fans as a defence mechanism in order to “own” the term and deflect antisemitic abuse in the 1970s that was directed toward fans of the Club, which has long been associated with the Jewish community. Nevertheless, older fans who might be more likely to have witnessed that development appear to be the least likely to use the word, as chanting it is progressively more popular among fans in falling age groups. However, younger fans, among whom chanting the word is popular, believed that the use of the word nowadays does still deflect antisemitism.

Conversely, 30 percent of respondents felt that the use of the word played a role in attracting abuse from rival fans, with the number rising to 37 percent among Jewish respondents.

The Club suggested that it “appear[s] that the history and the motivations behind why fans adopted the term in the first place are being lost over time, with many fans today using it solely as a means to identify themselves as a Spurs supporter,” with one fan writing: “Until my very late teens I had no idea it had historic roots to the Jewish community or that it had been considered a racist slur. It simply meant Spurs to me.”

When respondents were asked whether they would like to see less use of the word at football matches, almost half answered that they would like to see fans choose to chant it less or stop using it altogether.

The club concluded: “all of the above underlines just how complex the nature of this issue is and these varying viewpoints are illustrated in the written responses that we received from respondents too.” As one fan wrote: “I’m Jewish and I understand how offensive the word is yet I do accept that it is used in a very positive frame of reference by fellow Spurs fans. We need an alternative but I don’t know what that is, I can’t see Spurs fans shouting ‘you’re Spurs, you’re Spurs’ at a new player as a replacement for ‘Yiddo, Yiddo’ but we need to find a way to change it. I know this doesn’t give you answers, just my very confused view on how we solve an almost impossible situation. I do also think it’s the responsibility of other clubs to stop the racist chants being directed at us as well.”

Looking to the future, the Club insisted that it takes “a zero tolerance approach….towards real antisemitic abuse” and that “we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and forward-thinking Club and these findings indicate the awareness our fans have of current sensitivities and a willingness to reconsider the appropriateness of the continued use of this term.” It said it shall be organising focus groups, giving supporters the chance to meet and exchange views with fellow fans.

Those invited to contribute to the consultation included all Executive Members, Season Ticket holders, One Hotspur + Members and match-attending One Hotspur Members, as well as those affiliated to Supporters Clubs (both domestic and international), and a sample of non-matchday attenders from both among One Hotspur Members and non-Members. Of the 23,000 responses, 95 percent were either a Season Ticket holder, an Executive Level or One Hotspur Member. Eleven percent of respondents stated that they were Jewish.

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Lazio fans make Nazi salutes before Celtic game

Fans of the Italian football club, Società Sportiva Lazio, have been filmed in Glasgow making Nazi salutes prior to the club’s game against Celtic.

The groups of fans were chanting far-right slogans on Buchanan Street on their way to the Celtic Park stadium in Parkhead.

Police officers escorted the fans, including specialist anti-mafia police reportedly flown to Scotland to monitor the “ultras” among the fans, who have a reputation for Nazi gestures and racist chanting.

It is disappointing that the police tolerated these displays, despite the racist exhibition by Bulgaria’s fans in its recent match against England.

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West Ham bans fan for life over antisemitic chants and reports them to police

West Ham United FC, the East London football club, has reportedly banned a supporter for life after video footage emerged apparently showing fans singing antisemitic chants in a game early in the football season.

The video appeared on social media and the club took action within days, noting in a statement that “we are disgusted by the contents of a video circulating on social media on Monday evening, filmed near the start of the 2018-19 season. We have taken immediate action to identify the offender and have subsequently handed our evidence to the Metropolitan Police. Additionally, the individual concerned will be banned for life from the London Stadium.”

Under section 3 of the Football (Offences) Act 1991 “It is an offence to engage or take part in chanting of an indecent or racialist nature at a designated football match”.

Campaign Against Antisemitism commends West Ham for its swift and decisive action and reminds all clubs of the need to remain vigilant toward displays of antisemitism at matches.

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Football Association clears player Wayne Hennessey of performing Nazi salute, saying he did not know what it was

Footballer Wayne Hennessey has been cleared by the Football Association’s (FA) Independent Regulatory Commission of the accusation of performing a Nazi salute because it was ruled that he did not know what a Nazi salute was.

The Nazi salute, also known as the Hitler salute, is grossly offensive to Jews and is a well-known fascist gesture. It was the gesture of adoration for Adolf Hitler performed by massed German mobs who attacked and killed Jews, as well as by Nazi Germany’s armed forces as they murdered millions of Jews during the Holocaust.

Mr Hennessey, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper and Wales international player, was pictured with his right arm in the air and left hand above his mouth in a photograph posted on Instagram by German team-mate Max Meyer on 5th January. The gesture is often used as an attempt to mimic Hitler, with the left hand used to imitate a moustache.

Mr Hennessey denied the charge and said that any resemblance to the Nazi gesture was “absolutely coincidental”. His defence stated that he did not know what a Nazi salute was, according to the FA’s written reasons after the charge was found not proven.

Mr Hennessey said that he “waved and shouted at the person taking the picture to get on with it” and “put my hand over my mouth to make the sound carry”. He reportedly submitted photographs to the panel of him making similar gestures during matches to attract the attention of team-mates.

The panel said Mr Hennessey was “able to corroborate” his explanation with a series of photographs, including one that showed his right arm raised and left hand across his mouth in a “similar way” to the photo posted on Instagram. They said that he showed a “lamentable degree of ignorance” about Adolf Hitler, fascism and the Nazi regime.

The charge was found not proven after two members of the three-man panel believed the photograph had been “misinterpreted”. The other said the “only plausible explanation” was that Hennessey performed the salute.

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West Ham United vows to ban for life and report to police fans who chanted “I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you, f***ing Jew”

West Ham United Football Club has said that it will ban for life any fans that it manages to identify from a video in which football thugs can be heard chanting on public transport: “We’ll be running around Tottenham with our willies hanging out, singing ‘I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you, f***ing Jew’.” Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has traditionally enjoyed the support of a large number of Jewish football fans.

After footage of the incident was posted on Twitter, a West Ham United spokesperson said: “We are disgusted by the contents of the video. These people are not welcome at our club — they are not welcome in civilised society. We are taking immediate action to try to identify the offenders, whose details we will be handing over to the police and will be banned for life from London Stadium and from travelling with the club. West Ham United is unequivocal in its stance – there is no place for this kind of behaviour at our club.”

Greater Manchester Police praised the club for its firm stance appealed for witnesses with footage of the incident to contact them. Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Boyce said: “Here in Manchester we pride ourselves on making sure fans from far and wide are welcomed and it is disappointing that a small few have brought shame on football in this way. Let me be really clear: racial abuse will not be tolerated and anyone that partakes in this kind of behaviour can be expected to be investigated by the police.”

Witnesses should contact Greater Manchester Police by calling 101, or e-mailing Campaign Against Antisemitism at [email protected] if there is any difficulty.

West Ham fans have been involved in a number of antisemitic incidents. Mark Harding was convicted for telling a Jewish fan to “stick your head in the oven like the Jew you are” in 2017, and in 2016 Richard Prendiville and a man identified only as R. Peacock were convicted over similar antisemitic chanting on public transport.

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Chelsea football fans reportedly chant antisemitic slur “Yid” at game in Wales

Chelsea Football Club fans have reportedly chanted the antisemitic slur “Yid” at an away game in Swansea, Wales.

Simon Johnson, the Evening Standard’s sports reporter, tweeted that it “took less than six minutes for the y-word to emerge from the away end where #cfc [Chelsea Football Club] fans are housed.”

“Yid” is a Yiddish word often appropriated by antisemites as a repulsive derogatory term for Jews on a par with slave-trade era terms to describe black people. It is often and brazenly used by Chelsea supporters as a means of deriding rival team Tottenham Hotspur, amongst whose supporters Chelsea’s fans believe that there are many Jews.

Writing in Chelsea News, a website for Chelsea fans, Jamie Wilkinson said that: “We’ll have to wait and see if there’s any further verification of these claims. If it arrives, there’s no doubt those involved should be punished accordingly.”

Chelsea Football Club’s fans have a long history of singing and chanting antisemitic lyrics. In January last year, however, the Club announced a new project aimed at tackling antisemitism, involving senior players, including Eden Hazard, Charly Musonda and Ross Barkley. The project, under the Chelsea Foundation’s Building Bridges campaign was supported by Roman Abramovich, the club’s owner.

We commend Mr Johnson for reporting this matter and await Chelsea Football Club reporting members to the police if Mr Johnson’s report can be corroborated by other witnesses.

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Football legend John Barnes takes it upon himself to define for Jews what is and is not antisemitism

Former Liverpool and England footballer John Barnes has weighed in on the antisemitism plaguing the Labour Party in recent years. Barnes has been politically outspoken in recent years but his appearance on BBC Question Time, his first on the show, left many amongst the Jewish community hurt and confused. Whilst commending the Labour MPs who left the Labour Party in the past week over “what they believe” recognising “it’s about antisemitism in the Labour Party” he also took it upon himself to decide on behalf of Jewish people what is and what is not antisemitism.

Mr Barnes on the issue of antisemitism recognised that “there is a difference between that and anti-Zionism…getting mixed up.” He correctly pointed out that “you can criticise the state of Israel without being antisemitic,“ but turned at that point against the view of the vast and overwhelming majority of the Jewish community in saying that he thought that “from the Labour Party’s point of view, as much as Zionists may want to say it’s one and the same I don’t think it is. It’s a bit like saying all racism is the same, because it isn’t, for example the Jews, in my opinion, whilst it is a religion they aren’t necessarily a separate race of people. I think they get mixed up in that respect.”

The history of antisemitism shows that antisemitism can target Jews over either perceived race or faith as well as conspiracy theories around perceived collective Jewish power. When speaking about antisemitism it is important to understand these fundamental points around what antisemitism targets and looks like. Whether or not Jews are defined as a race or a religion is not relevant to whether or not antisemitism attacks Jews on the basis of perceived race or religion. Nazi and fascist attacks on Jews have cited opposition to Jews as a racial group and not to their religious beliefs, whilst modern left-wing antisemitism tends to target Jews in a manner which does not focus on either race or religion, instead targeting them for perceived power, disloyalty, or for the actions and very existence of the State of Israel.

Furthermore, whilst it is true that criticism of Israel is not antisemitic in and of itself, all too often opposition to Israel is used as a vehicle for antisemitism. This has included claims that Jews are less loyal to the UK, holding Jews collectively responsible for Israeli political and military decisions, the use of antisemitic language in relation to Israel, or comparing Israelis to the Nazis.

To accuse the majority of the Jewish community (who are Zionists) of deliberately confusing the issue of antisemitism is to accuse them of weaponising antisemitism, a despicable and outrageous claim.

Mr Barnes would do well to learn more about antisemitism before choosing to speak out on this topic on national television.

Campaign Against Antisemitism provides speakers to communities and institutions which would like to know more about antisemitism. If you would like to book a speaker, please contact [email protected].

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Man fined and banned from Swansea City games after Nazi salute to Spurs supporters

A man has been fined and banned from Swansea City football games after performing a Nazi salute to Spurs supporters.

Leighton Johnson from Swansea was captured making a Nazi salute towards Tottenham Hotspur supporters at Liberty Stadium in April 2017.

Mr Johnson denied causing racially aggravated alarm or distress and claimed that he was merely waving to a family member about going for a cigarette.

Judge Thomas said: “Your behaviour was that of a racist oaf and you made a clown of yourself giving evidence during your trial. You claim you were waving to invite someone to go for a cigarette and that you didn’t know about the club’s connection to Jewish fans. This to me is laughable.”

In September 2018, Mr Johnson was sentenced by Swansea Crown Court to 150 hours of unpaid work and a twelve-month community order, was ordered to pay £1,085 in costs and was banned from Swansea City home matches for three years.

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Arsenal Football Club investigating after fan sings “G-d bless Adolf Hitler, ‘cos he tried his best, he gassed six million, now we’ll gas the rest”

Arsenal Football Club is investigating after a fan was caught on video singing an antisemitic song whilst walking to the team’s match against AC Milan last Thursday.

The incident was recorded by a fellow fan who uploaded it to Twitter.

In the shocking video, the perpetrator can be heard singing: “Gas them all, gas them all. The [indistinct]. G-d bless Adolf Hitler, ‘cos he tried his best, he gassed six million, now we’ll gas the rest. Gas them all, gas them all.”

Arsenal Football Club confirmed on Monday that they are investigating the incident, which is just one of many recent antisemitic incidents within football.

Last week we reported on how the Chief Executive of the Football Association, Martin Glenn, issued a weak apology for comparing the Star of David to the swastika, and Robert Peston recently tweeted he was “Ashamed to be [an] Arsenal supporter” after witnessing antisemitism at a match.

https://twitter.com/MomentumGod2/status/972132209632186373

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Martin Glenn, Chief Executive of the Football Association, offers weak apology after equating the Star of David with the swastika

Martin Glenn, the Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association, has issued an apology “for any offence caused” after he equated the Star of David with the Nazi swastika and images of the brutal former Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe. The Star of David is a symbol of Jewish pride and Judaism.

Speaking about rules that prohibit the wearing of political symbols at football matches, Mr Glenn cited a number of “highly divisive” symbols, saying: “it could be the Star of David, it could the hammer and sickle, it could be a swastika, anything like Robert Mugabe on your shirt – these are the things we don’t want.” Mr Glenn was responding to the wearing of a yellow ribbon in support of Catalan independence by the manager of Manchester City Football Club.

We find Mr Glenn’s weak apology “for any offence caused” to be unacceptable. However, even a mealy mouthed apology is a start and an acknowledgement. He must now commit to undertaking education and training on antisemitism. Unless he does so we consider this incident to remain unresolved.

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CAA calls for Football Association Chief Executive Martin Glenn to apologise and undergo training after equating Star of David with swastika and Robert Mugabe

Campaign Against Antisemitism calls upon Martin Glenn, Chief Executive of the Football Association, to immediately apologise and undergo training after he equated the Star of David with the swastika and images of Robert Mugabe.

Speaking about rules that prohibit the wearing of political symbols at football matches, Mr Glenn cited a number of “highly divisive” symbols, saying: “it could be the Star of David, it could the hammer and sickle, it could be a swastika, anything like Robert Mugabe on your shirt – these are the things we don’t want.” Mr Glenn was responding to the wearing of a yellow ribbon in support of Catalan independence by the manager of Manchester City Football Club.

The only people who consider the Star of David to be a “highly divisive” symbol are antisemites. Mr Glenn must apologise immediately for his appalling comparison of the Star of David with the swastika and images of Robert Mugabe. He should also commit to undergoing training to understand the Jewish religion and its symbols. We cannot recall ever having come across something like this before.

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Arsenal must act after Robert Peston tweets he is “ashamed to be Arsenal supporter” after witnessing antisemitism at match

ITV news reporter, Robert Peston, has tweeted that he feels ashamed to support Arsenal after attending the club’s Carabao Cup Final match against Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

Mr Peston tweeted: “One of those moments when I am ashamed to be Arsenal supporter on way to Wembley because moron gooners [Arsenal fans] singing antisemitic song about how they have foreskins & Spurs fans don’t. Well many of us truer supporters are circumcised as is their/our hero Ozil (I assume). Shut the f up”.

Spurs, the nickname for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, has traditionally enjoyed the support of a large number of Jewish football fans and Campaign Against Antisemitism has reported previously about clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham using antisemitic chants against Spurs fans. The song that Mr Peston is referring to includes the lyrics: “I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you? F***ing Jew!”

In another tweet, Mr Peston wrote that he felt “racially abused by alleged fellow supporters”.

A spokesperson for Arsenal said: “We absolutely condemn any form of antisemitism at the club. We work hard to encourage diversity and inclusion through The Arsenal for Everyone programme and will continue to drive forward this campaign to our supporters.”

Though Arsenal’s opposition to antisemitism is very welcome, the club must now endeavour to identify and punish the individuals involved. We commend Mr Peston for exposing this disgraceful behaviour by Arsenal fans.

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Former Hull City manager Phil Brown issues heartfelt apology to CAA for “Holocaust of a game” comment on Talksport radio

Phil Brown, the football player turned manager has apologised for making a distasteful comment about the Holocaust on a radio show. Mr Brown, who managed Derby County, Hull City, Preston North End and Southend United, made the comment on Tuesday 6th February whilst a guest on Jim White’s show on Talksport Radio.

During the show, Mr Brown referred to Chelsea Football Club midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko as having had a “Holocaust of a game” during Chelsea’s recent match against Watford.

The radio station had removed the comment when they uploaded the show to their website after broadcast but Twitter users had already begun lambasting Mr Brown, as well as the host, Mr White, for failing to call Mr Brown out on air.

The Holocaust was the planned, brutal genocide of Jews and others in Europe and many British Jews are the descendants of Holocaust survivors or those who escaped to Britain, so it is unsurprising that many people were upset by Mr Brown’s distasteful Holocaust reference, and the failure of Mr White to call it out.

Campaign Against Antisemitism received complaints about Mr Brown’s comment, so we approached Mr Brown directly to discuss the matter. He issued the following heartfelt apology: “I am genuinely sorry for the hurt and distress I caused by what I said on Talksport last week. It was wrong, offensive and completely unacceptable. I am especially sorry for the significant offense I caused to every member of the Jewish community. I fully understand the meaning of the word I used and the horror it represents. I can’t believe I used that word. I was wrong to do so and I am profoundly and wholeheartedly sorry.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism will take no further action in relation to Mr Brown but we are disappointed not to have heard from Mr White, who hosted the programme and let the comment pass without challenging it.

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Comment: Jeremy Corbyn is calling out antisemitism in football, but not on his own team

At a “Show Racism the Red Card” event last week, the Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, called on Tottenham Hotspur fans to stop chanting their traditional “Yid Army” chant, saying that it racialises footballing divides and stokes antisemitism.

Tottenham Hotspur has a longstanding, historic association with its local Jewish community and has been labelled as a “Jewish team” with players and fans often facing antisemitic abuse from opposition fans. Spurs fans began to calls themselves “Yid” in response to abuse shouted by Moseley supporters at matches, as a means of reclaiming the word and showing solidarity with Jewish fans.

The “Yid Army” chant has been the source of much controversy over the years, with activists, celebrities and organisations dedicated to combating hate crime, calling for Tottenham fans to make a change and address its impact, saying that it racialises already tribal divisions and fuels antisemitism. Comedian David Baddiel and his brother Ivor have campaigned against the term for years, gaining widespread support. Mr Baddiel collaborated with Kick it Out, the charity dedicated to fighting racism in football, to campaign for the term “Yid” to be recognised as a racist slur similar to other offensive terms no longer widely used in football stands.

Meanwhile, Tottenham fans have argued that by taking ownership of the term they have successfully neutralised it as a racist term, reducing its impact and taking pride in what they consider to be the defence of their fellow fans who are Jewish. Over the years, Tottenham fans have vociferously defended their right to make use of the term, taking pride in the title despite being largely, a non-Jewish fanbase.

This is an argument, however, that in the words of Mr Corbyn, “doesn’t really work.” Speaking to The Guardian, he said: “The idea of adopting a term to neutralise it doesn’t really work because it is identifying a club by an ethnic group or faith, whereas you should be identifying club [sic] through supporters. Calling Arsenal fans ‘Gooners’ or ‘Gunners’ is fine because that is what it is because of the origins or heritage of the club.”

The chant, however, has never been purely about Tottenham. Whilst it has been a defensive call to arms, leading to Tottenham becoming a safe and welcoming place for Jewish fans it has brought out the worst in rival and opposing fans. As recently as last Sunday Liverpool fans hurled antisemitic epithets at Tottenham players and fans, making particular use of the term “Yid”. It remains the primary responsibility of those clubs with fans engaging in antisemitic rhetoric to tackle it, ensuring that antisemitism is not tolerated and zero tolerance is applied, as Chelsea committed to doing last month.

However the “Yid army” chant no longer plays the defensive, empowering role it arguably once did, and the time has now come for Tottenham fans to recognise that they could do more to combat antisemitism in football. This does not negate the responsibility of other clubs, whose racism is a major problem that we have regularly called out, but it is important that allies work constructively to oppose modern antisemitism.

There is a sense of irony in the position of Jeremy Corbyn on this point. Mr Corbyn has failed to root out and address antisemitism within the Labour Party since assuming its leadership in 2015. He himself has consorted for years with antisemites, and even rushed to the defense of figures such as the disgraced Reverend Stephen Sizer, whilst abjectly failing to stop abuse directed at Labour MP Ruth Smeeth at an event billed as drawing a line under antisemitism in the Labour Party. It is incumbent on us all to ensure that we address issues within our own sphere rather than focusing purely on the problems of others. Mr Corbyn has correctly called out a contentious and persistent cause of antisemitism in football, but in doing so he reminds us all of the continuing problems of antisemitism that he ignores.

Binyomin Gilbert is Programme Manager at Campaign Against Antisemitism

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Chelsea Football Club promises to ban antisemitic fans as Hertfordshire Constabulary investigates incident at Watford match

Chelsea Football Club has vowed to ban any fans found to have used antisemitic slurs or behaviour at Monday’s match against Watford Football Club.

According to the BBC, Jewish Chelsea fan and anti-racism activist Jonathan Metliss, was left “disgusted” by the antisemitic chanting he heard at the match.  In an online post, Mr Metliss said: “They were singing…to the tune of Smoke gets in your eyes, about Martin Chivers being a Jew and being circumcised, along with the usual ‘yiddo’ chants.”

Mr Metliss said that he took photographs of the alleged perpetrators before raising awareness of the incident with stewards who moved him to a family area “for his own safety”. Mr Metliss reported the incident to Hertfordshire Constabulary and Watford Football Club, who are leading a joint investigation into the incident.

Chelsea Football Club issued a statement saying: “Antisemitism has no place in our club, football or wider society. Anyone found guilty of antisemitic language or behaviour will face action from the club, including bans, and will be asked to attend equality education courses. We welcome the fact that fans have reported this behaviour, which shames our club.”

Sadly, this incident took place shortly after Chelsea launched its “Say No to Antisemitism” campaign.

We commend Mr Metliss for reporting this matter and gathering evidence, and Chelsea Football Club for its clear statement, but we regret that Watford Football Club’s stewards did not act, giving brazen antisemites the opportunity to escape justice. We will follow the police investigation with interest.

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Football Association set to investigate claim that Hemel Hempstead player was called “F***ing Jew” by former teammate

The Football Association is expected to open an investigation after Hemel Hempstead player Scott Shulton said that a former teammate called him a “F***ing Jew” during a match this weekend.

Mr Shulton told the Jewish News: “As soon as he said it, I grabbed him by the throat and then other players got involved before the referee came over. He didn’t hear what was said, neither did the assistant referee so it was my word against his. The referee said he would either give us both a card or just speak to us, he did the latter. I then spoke to him afterwards in the changing room, he said he’d put it in his report, which means it will be passed onto the [Football Association].”

We are in contact with the Football Association and will be following its investigation with interest.

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Chelsea Football Club unveils new education project to tackle antisemitism as hatred amongst fans persists

Chelsea Football Club, has announced a new project aimed at tackling antisemitism, involving senior first team players including Eden Hazard, Charly Musonda and Ross Barkley (pictured above). The project, under the Chelsea Foundation’s Building Bridges campaign is supported by Roman Abramovich, the club’s owner.

In its statement the club said: “Everybody at Chelsea is proud to be part of a diverse club. Our players, staff, fans and visitors to the club come from a wide range of backgrounds, including the Jewish community, and we want to ensure everyone feels safe, valued and included.”

The club has undertaken to work alongside a number of individuals and organisations from across the world including the Holocaust Educational Trust, Kick it Out, and the World Jewish Congress. Chelsea’s chairman will additionally be leading a steering committee including several world experts on antisemitism and other prominent figures.

The project will include primary school education on Jewish faith and culture and an incentivised education programme for fans previously banned for their antisemitic behaviour. Educational activities expected to take place over the course of the year include meeting with Holocaust survivors and educational trips for staff, fans and stewards and exhibitions.

This move comes following a string of high profile incidents of antisemitism among Chelsea FC fans in recent years which specifically targeted Tottenham fans and players. In one incident a Chelsea fan was banned from football grounds for three years by a court. In September, the Football Association threatened action should Chelsea fail to act over a chant aimed at their own player, Alvaro Morata, a chant which the player and the club both swiftly and vociferously condemned.

Campaign Against Antisemitism demanded strong action from Chelsea following this incident and the decision to take an educative approach to tackling antisemitism is one that we applaud. This must not, however, come at the expense of zero tolerance action against antisemitism, and whilst these are excellent preventative and rehabilitative efforts they must be coupled with strong enforcement of law, and physical prevention of antisemitism, something that should see signs of significant improvements, with the training that Chelsea’s stewards are set to go through.

This announcement is timely, with Holocaust Memorial Day taking place on 27th January.

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Chelsea Football Club must act or face action over supporters’ latest antisemitic song

Chelsea Football Club faces action from the Football Association following its supporters’ latest antisemitic song. The club’s fans have a long history of singing and chanting the most disgusting antisemitic lyrics, but only rarely have fans been prosecuted.

The latest antisemitic song to ring out from the Chelsea supporters’ section came on Saturday, when the club’s new player, Álvaro Morata, scored a goal. In celebration, numerous Chelsea supporters were reported to have sang: “Álvaro, oh, Álvaro, oh. He came from Real Madrid, he hates the f***ing Yids.”

“Yid” is a Yiddish word sometimes appropriated by antisemites as a repulsive derogatory term for Jews on a par with slave-trade era terms to describe black people. It is often and brazenly used by Chelsea supporters as a means of deriding rival team Tottenham Hotspur, amongst whose supporters Chelseas fans believe that there are many Jews.

Both Chelsea Football Club and Álvaro Morata swiftly spoke out. Chelsea issued a statement saying that “The club and the players appreciate the fans’ passionate support away from home, but the language in that song is not acceptable at all. We have spoken to Álvaro after the game, he does not want to be connected with that song in any way. Both the club and the player request the supporters stop singing that song with immediate effect.” Mr Morata tweeted: “Since I arrived, I have been able to feel your support every single day, you are amazing and I’d like to ask you to please respect everyone!”

Due to the repeated brazen singing of antisemitic songs by Chelsea fans, statements are no longer enough. Whilst we welcome the club’s swift condemnation of this repulsive singing, Chelsea must now either identify and the punish fans who participated, or the club itself should face strict penalties from the Football Association to send a clear message to its fans.

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West Ham fans sought by British Transport Police over antisemitic tirade at Jewish Tube passenger and his companion

A Jewish man and his non-Jewish female companion were subjected to horrific antisemitic abuse by fans of West Ham United Football Club on the London Underground at approximately 22:30 on Friday, as other passengers watched inertly or sniggered.

Jonathan Adelman wrote a blog about his experience, which on Friday evening on a full Jubilee Line train between Stratford and West Ham. West Ham had just beaten rival team Tottenham Hotspur, but instead of singing celebratory songs, the West Ham fans singled out Adelman and his companion for abuse, allegedly shouting “F*** off Jew boy” and making hissing noises to mimic the sound of escaping gas, in a reference to the gas chambers used by the Nazis to slaughter millions of Jews.

As the two men, described as being in their early twenties, continued their abuse for the two-minute journey, Adelman wrote: “the remainder of the carriage remained silent, save for a number of cowards who sniggered and chuckled.”

Referring to the tendency of some to dismiss such abuse as ‘football banter’, including amongst Jews, Adelman wrote: “Until all in the community are prepared to stand up to antisemitism what hope do we have of getting the football and police authorities to take the issue seriously?”

British Transport Police is investigating. A spokeswoman told Campaign Against Antisemitism: “A man aged in his forties was travelling from Stratford to London Bridge when two football fans in the carriage started chanting antisemitic songs and verbally abusing him. They then left the train at West Ham. We are investigating and officers are making enquiries. We take any form of hate crime extremely seriously and we always encourage victims or witnesses to this type of crime to report it to us so that we can investigate. Hate crime has a significant impact on victims and causes damage to communities. We are committed to preventing hate crime where possible, encouraging victims to report it when it does happen and bringing offenders to justice.”

Anybody with any information should contact British Transport Police by calling 0800 40 50 40 or sending an SMS to 61016. If any assistance is required, our Crime Unit can be contacted via [email protected].

We are following the case with interest.

Earlier this month, West Ham fan Mark Harding was convicted after telling a rival team’s supporter to “stick your head in the oven like the Jew you are”, and last year West Ham fans, Richard Prendiville and a man identified only as R. Peacock were both convicted after singing antisemitic songs on a train following a witness appeal which Campaign Against Antisemitism and others circulated widely.

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£150 and 60 hours’ community service for Mark Harding who told rival football fan to “stick your head in the oven like the Jew you are”

Football fan Mark Harding has reportedly been told to pay £150 compensation and perform 60 hours of unpaid community service for telling a supporter of a rival football team to “stick your head in the oven like the Jew you are” on Twitter.

The 48-year-old from Walsall claimed that his tweets constituted “football banter”. His lawyer, Tina Patel, told the court: “He was involved in banter that escalated out of control. He is totally ashamed by all of this.” Harding had apparently watched his beloved West Ham United Football Club being defeated by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, and had taken to drinking, during which Tottenham supporters taunted him online.

Harding admitted sending offensive communications and was given an 18-month suspended jail sentence JP Harvey Simons at Hendon Magistrates’ Court. Sentencing Harding, Simmons said that his tweets were “hurtful and obnoxious”.

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Yet again, Chelsea fans prepared for Spurs match by singing “I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you? F***ing Jew!”

According to footage provided to the Daily Mail, supporters of Chelsea Football Club prepared for their club’s match against Tottenham Hotspur by singing: “We’ll be running around Tottenham with our willies hanging out, singing, I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you? F***ing Jew!”

Approximately twenty men can be seen singing the song at the Green Man pub near Wembley Stadium. Some stood on tables and others jumped up and down.

At a previous match between the two football clubs, Chelsea had to warn its supporters not to engage in antisemitic taunts, but they did so anyway. The club previously cooperated with police to identify and convict a fan who performed 13 Nazi salutes in 15 minutes at a match. Regrettably, that conviction was merely one of many that are needed.

Anybody with information should contact the police on 101. If you would like any help, please contact our Crime Unit via [email protected].

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Foot in mouth at the Football Association as council member ponders nominating a token Jew to governing council

Ray Kiddell, a council member for 37 years on football’s governing body, the Football Association (FA), made a very disturbing comment during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live about reform within the game in England following scrutiny after the House of Commons passed a “no confidence” motion in the FA to reform itself, with specific criticism that its board fails to represent the diversity of the game.

Kiddell responded: “As far as ethnic minorities are concerned, we have problems, we’ve got to think ‘who are the ethnic minorities?’ At the moment we’ve got a Buddhist and a Muslim on the council. Now who else do we put on the council, a Jew.”

Kick It Out, an anti-racism campaign which fights bigotry within football and the Football Supporters’ Federation, FSF, released a joint statement on their websites condemning Kiddell’s “unhelpful comment”. They said they were “dismayed” by the remarks and complained to the FA. Kick it Out posted a disappointing and toothless response from an FA spokesperson on their website distancing itself from the comments: “His comments in this interview are completely at odds with the views of the FA and we will address this matter internally.”

But Kick It Out should also focus on putting its own house in order. Earlier this month, Lord Ouseley, the Chairman of Kick It Out, co-signed a letter to The Guardian calling for the Labour Party to readmit Marc Wadsworth, a Labour activist who was suspended by the Party for his actions at the launch of Baroness Chakrabarti’s whitewash report into antisemitism in the Party. With Jeremy Corbyn and Baroness Chakrabarti looking on inertly, Wadsworth stood to harangue Ruth Smeeth, a Labour MP who is Jewish, of conspiring with the media. Smeeth left the event in tears and called on Jeremy Corbyn to resign.

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Police release images of men they want to speak to after “frankly disgusting” antisemitic chanting

Greater Manchester Police has released images of men they would like to talk to in relation to an incident two weeks ago in which Manchester City Football Club fans shouted antisemitic slogans on a tram on their way to watch their team play against Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium.

The Manchester City fans bellowed at passengers: “F*** off, you F***ing yids! F***ing gas isn’t good enough for ya!” They continued: “You’re getting gassed in the morning, gassed in the morning!”

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a 59-year-old man has been interviewed under caution and enquiries are ongoing, and that Manchester City Football Club has been working with police to identify the men.

Detective Inspector Rebecca Boyce said: “While our enquiries are ongoing, we have identified two men who we want to speak to in connection with the incident. We take all reports of hate crime tremendously seriously and it is imperative that we follow all lines of enquiry to ensure the people involved in this frankly disgusting incident are brought to justice. The tirade of abuse that was chanted has immensely impacted not only the people at the match, but members of the wider society and we will do everything in our power to make it known that hate crime is absolutely unacceptable. If anyone recognises the men in the images, I’m strongly urging you to contact us at the earliest opportunity.”

The original smartphone footage was captured by a fellow Manchester City fan, Anthony Fallon, who was horrified. At the time, he told Manchester Evening News: “I’m not sure if there were Tottenham fans on the tram or if it was just City fans trying to cause a melée between themselves or a raucous atmosphere, but they started saying ‘come on you Spurs’. The City fans next to me, two men in their 50s, then started chanting ‘You’re getting gassed in the morning’. It was making people very uncomfortable and there was a guy who obviously couldn’t wait to get off the tram. It was like being back in the 1980s. I went to a game in Leeds in 1983 where fans were throwing banana peels at a black player. This was like a throwback to the 1980s. I haven’t heard anything like that, certainly not in the last decade. I was completely taken aback. They need to be identified. This was not just borderline racism, it was bile and hatred.”

Mr Fallon’s smartphone then caught the fans’ attention. One tells him: “Hey mate, don’t be f***ing filming everybody. I’m f***ing camera shy me, do you know what I mean? You need permission to film in public. It’s a fact so don’t do it.”

The incident took place on a Metrolink tram travelling from Market Street to the Etihad Stadium at approximately 17:10 on Saturday 21st January.

 

We commend Anthony Fallon for his presence of mind and for ensuring that this incident was brought to the attention of the police and the media. Any witnesses should contact Greater Manchester Police on 101.

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Lord Ouseley, Kick It Out’s Chairman, should not be leading an anti-racism campaign if he is blind to antisemitism

Lord Ouseley, the Chairman of Kick It Out, an anti-racism campaign which has done sterling work to fight bigotry within football, has disgraced himself by co-signing a letter to The Guardian calling for the Labour Party to readmit Marc Wadsworth.

Wadsworth, a Labour activist, was suspended by the Party for his actions at the launch of Baroness Chakrabarti’s whitewash report into antisemitism in the Party. With Jeremy Corbyn and Baroness Chakrabarti looking on inertly, Wadsworth stood to harangue Ruth Smeeth, a Labour MP who is Jewish, for supposedly conspiring with the media. Smeeth left the event in tears and called on Jeremy Corbyn to resign.

The letter published in The Guardian makes clear that Lord Ouseley and his fellow signatories wish to “make public our support for Wadsworth” and to publicise that “a demonstration will be held to support him”. The signatories end with a “demand that he is reinstated immediately”.

Lord Ouseley is unfit to lead an anti-racism campaign if he is blind to antisemitism.

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Police hunt Manchester City football fans chanting “F*** off, you f***ing yids! F***ing gas isn’t good enough for ya!”

Greater Manchester Police are hunting Manchester City Football Club fans who shouted antisemitic slogans on a tram on their way to watch their team play against Tottenham Hotspur at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium.

The Manchester City fans bellowed at passengers: “F*** off, you F***ing yids! F***ing gas isn’t good enough for ya!” They continued: “You’re getting gassed in the morning, gassed in the morning!”

Looking on was a fellow Manchester City fan, Anthony Fallon, who was horrified. He captured the incident on his smartphone, so that he could provide the footage to Greater Manchester Police. He told Manchester Evening News: “I’m not sure if there were Tottenham fans on the tram or if it was just City fans trying to cause a melée between themselves or a raucous atmosphere, but they started saying ‘come on you Spurs’. The City fans next to me, two men in their 50s, then started chanting ‘You’re getting gassed in the morning’. It was making people very uncomfortable and there was a guy who obviously couldn’t wait to get off the tram. It was like being back in the 1980s. I went to a game in Leeds in 1983 where fans were throwing banana peels at a black player. This was like a throwback to the 1980s. I haven’t heard anything like that, certainly not in the last decade. I was completely taken aback. They need to be identified. This was not just borderline racism, it was bile and hatred.”

Mr Fallon’s smartphone then caught the fans’ attention. One tells him: “Hey mate, don’t be f***ing filming everybody. I’m f***ing camera shy me, do you know what I mean? You need permission to film in public. It’s a fact so don’t do it.”

The incident took place on a Metrolink tram travelling from Market Street to the Etihad Stadium at approximately 17:10 on Saturday 21st January.

A spokesman for Transport for Greater Manchester said: “We’re extremely disappointed to see this kind of mindless behaviour taking place on a tram. This vile and hateful language has no place on football terraces, public transport or anywhere else. We will gladly work with police to bring these individuals to justice so we strongly urge anyone with any information about the incident to come forward.”

A spokesman for Manchester City Football Club said: “Manchester City strongly condemns the use of any antisemitic language and we are co-operating with the investigation into this matter.”

Greater Manchester Police have not yet issued photographs of any suspects.

We commend Anthony Fallon for his presence of mind and for ensuring that this incident was brought to the attention of the police and the media. Any witnesses should contact Greater Manchester Police on 101.

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In defiance of warning, Chelsea fans filmed chanting “I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you? F***ing Jew!”

Fans of Chelsea Football Club have defied a warning from their own club, and have been filmed singing crude antisemitic chants whilst riding the London Underground. According to footage provided to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea fans chanted “I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you? F***ing Jew!” The supporters can be seen singing both on the train and as they walk through a station.

The antisemitic chanting follows a match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, at which Chelsea specifically warned that if any of their supporters engaged in antisemitic abuse, the club would seek to identify them and report them to the police.

Following the conviction of a Chelsea fan earlier this month, we are hopeful that the club will repeat its success in this case too.

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Following fan’s conviction, Chelsea FC warns fans not to engage in antisemitic abuse

Chelsea Football Club has warned fans not to engage in antisemitic abuse when the team plays Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow. The warning comes after Chelsea fan Fabian Richardson was banned from football grounds for three years and ordered to pay £365 after making 13 Nazi salutes in 15 minutes. Richardson was convicted after being identified by Chelsea.

In a statement ahead of Saturday’s match, Chelsea Football Club said: “A small minority continues to tar this derby with abhorrent antisemitic abuse. It was an isolated incident at last season’s corresponding fixture in May, but an individual who made Nazi-style salutes during the game was reported by a supporter who was able to remain anonymous. Chelsea FC worked with the police to identify the culprit who was recently found guilty in court and received a three-year football banning order and was banned by the club indefinitely. This is a clear example of our belief such behaviour has no place in our stadium or society and of our zero tolerance approach.”

The statement continued: “We encourage reports to be made, we have a sophisticated CCTV system and work with the police to take prompt action on all hate crime. If you hear discriminatory chants during the match, report it to a police officer or steward, or text anonymously to 07894 937 793. Please note the stand, row and seat number of the person, as well as their appearance, height and build.”

We commend Chelsea Football Club for its stance, and for taking robust action against antisemites in conjunction with the police.

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Chelsea fan banned for 3 years, pays £365 in fines and costs for 13 Nazi salutes in 15 minutes

Fabian Richardson, a fan of Chelsea Football Club, has reportedly been banned from football matches for three years after making a series of Nazi salutes during a game against Tottenham Hotspur Football Club at Chelsea’s home ground in May.

Richardson admitted religiously aggravated harassment after being caught making 13 Nazi salutes in 15 minutes, however at first he claimed that he was waving at friends, saying: “I’m not a racist, I was just an idiot.”

Robert Simpson, prosecuting, said: “It was the Chelsea-Tottenham game, and the defendant was seen by members of the public doing a Nazi salute towards the Tottenham fans. A photograph was placed on a forum of Kick It Out, and he was identified by Chelsea Football Club. He had his arm out at a 90 degree angle in a Nazi salute. He did this 13 times in 15 minutes. Asked in interview by police he said he didn’t know what it was, and asked if he had seen it in war films he said he didn’t think so. He told them he was waving to friends but couldn’t name any.”

Richardson has been handed a three-year football banning order, meaning he cannot attend any football matches in the UK, and must surrender his passport when the England’s national team play abroad. Additionally he was handed a £250 fine, ordered to pay £85 costs, and a witness tax of £30. His season ticket was also suspended.

District Judge Mike Snow addressed comments to 21-year-old Richardson directly, saying: “You didn’t grow up during the dark period of football in the 70s and 80s. During that time football matches were marred by abusive violence and language. We can’t slip back into that period. You and I both know that Tottenham and Chelsea is one of the feistiest matches of the season. We both know, in reality, that Tottenham is a club associated with the Jewish faith. You and I both know those fans are regularly the subject of abuse based on that presumption.”

Sadly antisemitic gestures and chants are still far too common at many football matches, so we commend Chelsea Football Club for identifying this criminal and taking action. Fabian Richardson has now been deprived of his passion for football, any employer will see his criminal record, and anybody searching his name on the internet will see that he engaged in such revolting antisemitic conduct. We applaud the police, Prosecutor Robert Simpson and District Judge Mike Snow for taking firm action in this case.

Regrettably such convictions are rare due to reluctance on the part of the Crown Prosecution Service to take action against antisemites. While 2015 saw the worst level of antisemitic hate crime on record, we only know of 12 cases of antisemitic hate crime that the Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted, out of a total of 15,442 hate crimes prosecuted that year.

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Event: Chance to ask Director of Kick It Out what is being done about antisemitism in football

Roisin Wood, Director of Kick It Out, will be speaking about antisemitism in football on 6th October at JW3, a Jewish cultural centre in London. It will be a good opportunity to ask Ms Wood about what Kick It Out is doing to stamp out antisemitism at football grounds.

Ms Wood will be appearing on a panel discussing antisemitism organised by Action Against Discrimination’s Chairman, Jonathan Metliss. Other panellists include football journalists Henry Winter and Anthony Clavane,as well as Jewish footballer Joe Jacobson and the Jewish Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Tony Bloom.

The event will be held on 6th October at JW3. Tickets must be booked in advance.

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CAA complains to international boxing bodies over Tyson Fury

Campaign Against Antisemitism has complained to the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Organisation, after the British Boxing Board of Control failed to take any action over Heavyweight Champion of the World Tyson Fury’s antisemitic slurs.

During a video interview with SportsViewLondon last week, Fury said: “Everyone just do what you can, listen to the government follow everybody like sheep, be brainwashed by all the Zionist, Jewish people who own all the banks, all the papers all the TV stations. Be brainwashed by them all.”

When Campaign Against Antisemitism issued a call for Fury to be banned from the sport over his repeated racist, homophobic and sexist comments, Fury took to Twitter. One tweet said: “I see all the Zionist media outlets are on my back, because I speak the truth! u will all see the truth soon enuf, they killed my lord jesus”.

Under intense pressure, Fury apologised, but we did not accept his apology as being sincere as this is merely the latest in a string of incidents. Rather than taking disciplinary action, the British Boxing Board of Control issued a statement claiming that Fury could not be racist as he is a “a man of Traveller heritage…a devout Christian and a family man”, ending the statement by taking the opportunity to advertise his next fight.

We have therefore complained to the British Boxing Board of Control about their handling of the matter, as well as writing to the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Organisation, asking them to take disciplinary action in accordance with their regulations.

It is time that boxing showed serious intent to eradicate antisemitism from the sport, just as other sports have done.

British Transport Police officers
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Criminal record and £1,240 bill for two West Ham fans who sang antisemitic song on a train

Two men have been convicted under the Crime and Disorder Act of racially aggravated harassment alarm and distress for singing antisemitic football songs on a train.

The two West Ham fans, Richard Prendiville and a man identified only as R. Peacock were both convicted at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 2nd March. The case against a third man was dropped. Prendeville was fined £220 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £23 plus £350 costs, whilst Peacock was fined £270 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £27 and £350 costs.

The men were identified after British Transport Police issued an appeal for witnesses, which Campaign Against Antisemitism and others circulated widely.

In a statement issued at the time, investigating officer PC Michael Botterill said: “This sort of casual racism has gone unchallenged for too long. We know the vast majority of football fans are decent people, but for those who continue to make life unpleasant for the travelling public, our message is clear: we will not tolerate your yobbish behaviour.”

We have been watching the case closely and liaising with British Transport Police. We commend the victim for reporting this, and British Transport Police for acting quickly to identify and punish Prendeville and Peacock.

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Arsenal fans caught on camera singing antisemitic songs

Arsenal fans have disgraced themselves by singing an antisemitic song on their way to a match against rival team Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. As they rode the London Underground to the stadium, a group of Arsenal supporters can be heard loudly singing “I’ve got a foreskin, haven’t you? F***ing Jew!”

The witness who filmed the incident told the Daily Mail: “I got off at Seven Sisters [Station] and spoke to the police about it but they didn’t really do anything about it. The video I shot isn’t the half of it – they were singing about the Holocaust and Aushwitz – I’ve heard that kind of thing before but it doesn’t normally happen with Arsenal. There weren’t really any other Spurs fans on the train, but there were normal commuters. No one seemed shock, some people were actually laughing. I was really offended by it.”

British Transport Police told us: “We have been made aware of a video on social media showing antisemitic behaviour on board a Tube train BTP takes these matters very seriously. The matter is currently being investigated and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with any information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 quoting reference 131 of 08/03/16.”

We have asked why it seems that no action was taken when the witness spoke to police at Seven Sisters Station.

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Football fans banned for three years for Nazi salutes and mimicking escaping gas

Two Southampton FC supporters who yelled abuse, mimicked the sound of hissing gas and made Nazi salutes at Tottenham Hotspur fans have been banned from attending matches for three years.

Thomas Flynn and Michael Haydon committed the offences at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium during a match on 19th December 2015.

Flynn, 22, of Yeovil Chase, Harefield, Southampton and Haydon, 23, of White Hart Lane, Cadnam, admitted a charge each of using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour in what was deemed a religiously aggravated public order offence.

They were barred from attending games in Britain and abroad for three years after being convicted at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, where prosecutor Charles Nightingale had described how Flynn, Haydon and another man were seen shouting antisemitic abuse including “gas the Jews”.

Mr Nightingale said one of the Spurs fans reported: “There was a white male raising his right hand and finger below his nose and making hissing sounds imitating gas escaping.”

After a steward notified police, Haydon was arrested at the ground, while Flynn was detained nearby. The court heard that the third man was never identified.

Haydon had been drinking since that morning, said his lawyer Jane Hiatt, and admitted making hissing sounds but denied saluting and shouting abuse.

In mitigation she said of the season ticket holder, who had attended games since he was aged five: “This is very out of character and a blip. He’s horrified and ashamed.”

Nicola Attwood, for Flynn, said her client — who was sober — also admitted hissing but denied making salutes. She said: “He is disgusted with himself and that he deserves a ban and that the people would be gravely offended by his behaviour.”

Magistrate Victoria Parker sentenced them to a three-year banning order preventing them from attending games in Britain and requiring them to hand passports to police before major games abroad.

They were also handed a 12-week community order and curfew, banned from going within a mile of St Mary’s Stadium four hours before and after kick-off on matchdays, and ordered to pay £145 in costs.

She said: “This was a very serious matter and watching you during these court proceedings I think you know that and are very ashamed of what you did.”

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Hertfordshire Constabulary appeals for witnesses to antisemitic singing at local football match reported by CAA

Following a report by Campaign Against Antisemitism, Hertfordshire Constabulary has launched an appeal for witnesses to antisemitic singing by hooligans at Hertford Town FC’s home ground, Hertingfordbury Park.

CAA became aware of the incident after a contributor to Everyday Antisemitism posted a local newspaper’s match report on Everyday Antisemitism. Everyday Antisemitism is run by Campaign Against Antisemitism and allows anyone to register to post about their experiences of antisemitism.

According to the report, at a match on Tuesday, 1st December between Hertford Town and Welwyn Garden City, antisemitic singing broke out amongst Hertford Town fans, which they directed towards their opponent’s fans. According to the report, a “mindless minority” started the antisemitic singing, repeating the song twice.

After CAA brought the incident to the attention of Hertfordshire Constabulary, the force has opened an investigation and police are working to trace those responsible.

PC Sam Bailey, Hate Crime Officer for East Hertfordshire, said: “Hertfordshire Constabulary does not tolerate racism. We will take every report of such behaviour seriously and will seek to take action against those who are responsible. I am appealing for anyone with information about this incident to contact me.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Bailey on 01992 533 651, quoting crime reference A1/15/3507. Alternatively, information can be anonymously passed to Crimestoppers, the independent crime-fighting charity, on 0800 555 111 or through www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

We commend Hertfordshire Constabulary for opening an investigation as soon as we reported the incident to them, and for taking a firm zero tolerance approach to this antisemitic hooliganism.

Hertford Town FC’s Code of Conduct stipulates that supporters and their guests must “Promote ethical and non-racist, non-sexist principles” and “Show due respect to the players, coaches and supporters of all teams.” We are enquiring what action Hertford Town FC took in relation to this incident.

British Transport Police officers
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One arrested, four awaiting questioning after public identify West Ham antisemitic chant suspects

A 44-year-old man from Northampton has been arrested and four others are awaiting interrogation after five West Ham fans were reported to British Transport Police for antisemitic chanting on a train. After Campaign Against Antisemitism and others disseminated CCTV images of the suspects, British Transport Police have said they have identified the men. The man who was arrested has been bailed until Monday 26th October and the other four men will be spoken to “in due course” according to the police statement.

PC Michael Botterill, who had issued the appeal for the public to help identify the men said: “I would like to thank the public and the media for their help with this appeal.”

According to an earlier police statement, five West Ham fans were began to sing antisemitic songs on the train following a match and were asked to stop by another passenger, but they refused to stop and continued changing antisemitic slurs. British Transport Police promised firm action, saying “We will not tolerate your mobbish behaviour.” They have been as good as their word and we commend them for their extremely swift and firm response to this incident. We will follow the case with interest.

Thank you to everyone who helped by sharing the CCTV images we posted.

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Police seek the public’s help in identifying five men following antisemitic chanting on train

British Transport Police have issued CCTV images showing five men sought for questioning following antisemitic chanting on a train travelling between Watford Junction and Milton Keynes.

PC Michael Botterill said in a statement: “A man, who boarded the train at Watford Junction, took his seat in the first class carriage. A group of West Ham fans were already seated and, as the train pulled away, they began to sing antisemitic songs. The man, quite rightly, took offence to these vile songs and challenged the group over their language. However, they refused to stop and continued with their chanting.”

Police received reports from several other witnesses to the behaviour of the men, who are believed to have left the train at Northampton. The train was the 19:03 service from Watford Junction to Birmingham New Street on Saturday 15th August, the day West Ham played Leicester City at Upton Park.

PC Botterill continued: “This sort of casual racism has gone unchallenged for too long. We know the vast majority of football fans are decent people, but for those who continue to make life unpleasant for the travelling public, our message is clear: we will not tolerate your yobbish behaviour. I think the men in the pictures we are issuing today, have information about this incident. Please let us know who they are.”

Do you recognise these men? If so, please contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference MSUB/B4 of 12/10/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

We commend British Transport Police for their firm, proactive response to this all too common incident of antisemitism amongst football fans.

We are seeking to recruit a General Counsel a Video and Content Creator to join our London office

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Campaign Against Antisemitism is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to exposing and countering antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law. Everything that we do is done by people who volunteer their time, using donations contributed by members of the public. Join the fight against antisemitism by subscribing to our updates, volunteering, or donating.

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