Arsenal launch investigation into antisemitic attack in a pub during Spurs match
Club opens probe after Jewish News report on two female fans branded “dirty f*****g Yids” in a north London pub.
Arsenal has launched an investigation after Jewish News reported that two female fans were branded “dirty f*****g Yids” after they challenged a group of men for yelling the race hate slur “Yid” in a pub during Sunday’s north London derby clash against Spurs.
In shocking scenes, a group of five men approached Jewish Arsenal fan Katie Price, 26, and her friend Lily O’Farrell in threatening to beat them up and accusing them of being Tottenham fans for objecting to chants using the slur “Yiddo.”
The two women, who were both wearing Arsenal shirts to watch the match, say they were made to leave The Cally pub, on the Caledonian Road, north London after an altercation broke with a group of males.
The Premier League club is also investigation a second incident that took place at Sunday’s game, which Arsenal won 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
An Arsenal statement said: “We have been made aware of two disturbing incidents over the weekend involving anti-semitism which are now under investigation.
“There was an incident at the north London derby on Sunday involving Arsenal supporters in which one of our fans overheard grossly offensive antisemitic statements made by another Arsenal fan.
“On the same afternoon, we were appalled to hear of an incident at The Cally pub in Islington, involving other antisemitic chants.
“We recognise the impact this behaviour has on our many Jewish supporters and others and condemn the use of language of this nature, which has no place in our game or society.”
Arsenal said the club must be a “safe and welcoming” environment for all supporters and that any kind of discriminatory abuse will not be tolerated.
The statement added: “We will not stand for this kind of behaviour and will take strong action against any supporters who we establish are responsible for such acts.
“Anyone identified will receive a lengthy club ban and their details will be passed to the police to commence legal proceedings.
“If any of our supporters witness any form of discriminatory behaviour, we urge them to report the incident to the police.
“If inside our stadium, report to a matchday steward or use our ‘See Something, Say Something’ service by texting “FOUL” to 67777 together with a description of the incident and the location within the stadium.
“This enables supporters to report an incident safely and for us to act as quickly as possible.”
Arsenal’s derby win had already been marred by the attack on their goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after the final whistle.
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