Wycombe Wanderers captain Jacobson given security after receiving antisemitic abuse
Joe Jacobson, one of the few British Jewish pro players, reveals he has been the target of antisemitic abuse at Wycombe Wanderers
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Wycombe Wanderers captain Joe Jacobson has revealed he has needed security this season after becoming a target of antisemitic hatred.
The 37-year-old told Sky News how in the aftermath of the 7 October Hamas atrocities and Israel’s war on Gaza – he needed a security escort into the stadium.
He also said the League One football club has resisted demands to cut ties with him.
Jacobson said he had avoided making comments about the conflict, apart from an initial response to those who appeared to welcome the Hamas attack who he said were “celebrating mass murder” .
One of the few British Jews to be playing the sport professionally, he said: “I had a lot of messages on social media, the club got sent some emails and letters demanding I apologise, demanding that, if I didn’t, they would barricade the gates at Adams Park on a match day a few days later.”
When he arrived at the stadium, where he has played for a decade, there was a rush to shield him as he walked in.
“I got ushered in. I later found out that they were worried that someone was going to be there,” Jacobson said. “So there were some plain-clothed security that were watching out and looking for anything.
“And fortunately nothing happened. But I’m just going to a place of work and there’s people worried about something that might happen – and that that can’t be right.”
He said the club also faced calls to axe him. “There were fans… or so-called fans, messaging saying that [I] shouldn’t be playing for this club or be captain of this football club,” Jacobson said.
But he was backed by the club’s owners who told him ” you’ve done nothing wrong, so don’t apologise,” he said.
Data from Kick It Out obtained by Sky News showed there have been five times more antisemitic abuse in football this season compared to the first half of the 2022-23 campaign.
The rise from 11 incidents to 57 can seem low, but the data can be viewed as more of a snapshot of the wider problem, given Kick It Out relies on receiving reports.
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