Jewish sport organisation Maccabi GB has complained to the Football Association after players at a five-a-side tournament were antisemitically abused.
The incident took place during a FA Futsal Cup match in Barking, east London, on Sunday, between Maccabi GB and Kaunas Futsal, when opposition supporters called the Maccabi players “dirty Jews”.
A spokesperson for the Maccabi said in a statement: “Maccabi GB can confirm that an antisemitic comment, coupled with intimidating behaviour, occurred during the game towards our players. There was also intimidating and aggressive behaviour towards our fans.”
The FA has forwarded Maccabi’s report of the incident to the Amateur Football Alliance, whose chief executive officer, Mike Brown, said it would conduct an investigation as quickly as possible:
“When we have all the evidence, this will be assessed together with the FA, and any necessary charge or charges issued. A panel will then be convened to hear the case which, if proven, will result in an appropriate punishment being issued.”
Maccabi also submitted its report to the Community Security Trust. CST communications director Mark Gardner said he expected the FA “to take appropriate action. Jewish footballers and our wider community need to see that this kind of antisemitism is not tolerated”.
