FA probe alleged antisemitic chants by Southampton fans during Spurs match
Supporters of the south coast club reportedly sang 'Spurs are on their way to Auschwitz, Hitler’s gonna gas them again'
Jack Mendel is the former Online Editor at the Jewish News.
The Football Association is investigating after supporters of Southampton Football Club allegedly used antisemitic chants during the home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
Fans reportedly sung about Auschwitz and gas chambers, including ‘get in the showers’, a reference to the Nazis’ method of murdering Jews in the Holocaust.
Just 10 minutes into the game on Saturday 9 March, Joe.co.uk reports that an unnamed journalist heard Southampton fans sing: “Spurs are on their way to Auschwitz, Hitler’s gonna gas them again”, before saying “You’d better not come back next week” after being told that their chant was racist.
Later they were heard singing “Same old Tottenham, all need gassing,” and “Get in the showers”.
Jewish News understands that the Football Association is aware of the incident and is investigating alongside Southampton Football Club.
This comes after it was announced that punishments handed to antisemitic football fans could be ramped up under a widespread Government review of discrimination in the sport.
Tottenham supporters have in the past been the subject of antisemitic chanting because of the club’s historic ties to the Jewish community. Its own supporters have also been embroiled in criticism for using the term ‘Yid’, the yiddish term for Jew, which anti racism campaigners say is derogatory.
Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination charity that works to eradicate hate from the beautiful game, said it: “stands against all forms of discrimination and is disappointed that yet again this season another case of alleged antisemitic abuse has been reported to us.
“We will work with the clubs and football authorities to identify the offenders and make sure they face the consequences of their actions.”
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