Chelsea chairman tries to give Tottenham a lesson in anti-semitism

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has called for Tottenham fans to stamp out the use of the Y-word after claiming it would help with the battle against anti-semitism.

On the eve of Monday’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, which also marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Chelsea chairman and Lord John Mann have spoken of the need to kick out antisemitism from football.

Spurs fans originally decided to adopt the ‘Y-word’ as a sign of defiance against antisemitic abuse.

However, with attitudes now changing in society about the use of the word, the Lilywhites are coming under increasing pressure to clamp down on it.

Tottenham issued an update on their consultation over the use of the Y-word last month. The club confirmed that they are currently in the process of organising a series of focus groups to discuss and educate people on the issue further.

Lord Mann believes moving to the new stadium should help Tottenham combat the problem better than they could have at White Hart Lane.

In an interview with the Telegraph, he said, “I would like Spurs to tackle it head-on and I’ve told them that to their face many times, because that would help.

“It impacts outside Spurs and, with a new stadium, I think they are in a position to tackle it far more effectively than they could in their old stadium. And I think they should be.”

Meanwhile, Buck insisted that it was hard for Chelsea to tackle the issue when Spurs fans take it upon themselves to use the word. This comes after Chelsea have come under fire in recent years for antisemitic reports towards fans.

The Blues chairman said, “From our perspective, after discussing it with the World Jewish Congress and other organisations, our view has been confirmed that the use of the word is inappropriate and that is what we tell our fans – the use of the word is inappropriate and don’t use it.

“The fans get confused because they don’t understand why it’s inappropriate for them to use it as Chelsea fans, but it’s appropriate for Spurs fans to use it. And that makes it very difficult in our job to convince our fans not to use it. Having said that, I’m sure Spurs are aware of the issue and I’m sure they are considering how to deal with it as best they can.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I think it is extremely important to recognise the context in which Chelsea fans have tended to use the word compared to Spurs fans. While some sections of Chelsea fans as well fans of other clubs have used it as a form of racist abuse towards Spurs fans, Tottenham fans used it in defiance as an anti-racist message. It is extremely annoying when people fail to make this distinction.

However, having said that, I believe it is time that Spurs fans retired the word as the fight against antisemitism is bigger than the football club.

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