‘Spurs take the knee to eradicate racism – then fans sing the Y-word’

Tottenham Hotspur fans who use the Y-word slur in the stands must “understand the gravity of its history”, after the club’s historic decision to distance itself from the term.

Jewish News editor Richard Ferrer appeared on Sky Sports News to discuss the club’s historic statement about the term “yid” chanted by supporters.

The statement, released after a consultation of more than 23,000 supporters over the use of the term, states that “now, more than ever, is the time to re-assess and re-consider its ongoing use.”

The club said it is creating an educational hub to teach its fans about the history of the term, owing to the club’s Jewish roots in the east end.

Ferrer was asked whether the fact that young fans don’t understand the history of the term, makes it easier to move on from

He responded: “it’s going to be a very long process.

“If you look where we currently stand – and reflecting on the climate, change won’t happen immediately.

“At a recent game, the Leicester game in in January, there were 4,000 spurs fans at the game, and to a man and a woman they were all yelling, the Y-word

“Their team takes the knee to eradicate racism and then they sing the Y-word.

“So obviously, it’s a complete anathema that it should take place. The numbers were interesting, that only 4 percent of over 60s or over 64s actually chant the word.  So yes, clearly it’s an education issue.”

“Spurs fans who sing it loudest” need to “understand the gravity of its history”.

The statement by the club was welcomed from communal bodies, and the government’s antisemitism envoy, Lord John Mann.

He said that while he recognised the term was initially used by Jewish fans as a “defiant response” to antisemites, “increasingly its aggressive misuse to abuse Spurs, its fans, the club, and its owners has had negative consequences elsewhere.”