ByCharlotte Oliver, Charlotte Oliver
Tottenham Hotspur has responded to the continuing controversy over the word “Yid” by asking for the views of 70,000 of its supporters.
The club has emailed a survey to all its season-ticket holders and members. It asks fans where they stand on the chants using the Y-word and includes recent media coverage on the issue.
Spurs fans have been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, following the Football Association’s ruling that anyone chanting the word “Yid” could be liable to criminal charges. The club’s supporters refer to themselves as “Yid army” and to the club’s players as “Yiddos”.
Earlier this month, a Spurs fan was arrested in connection with chanting the Y-word during the club’s home match against West Ham United. Another supporter was issued with an official warning the previous week.
In a statement, a spokesman for Tottenham Hotspur said the time was right to consult supporters.
The club feels it’s important to assess fans’ sentiments
“The club feels that it is important to assess fans’ sentiments on the use of the word
“We know this debate has been, and is currently being held, amongst our fans.”
He stressed that the survey should be seen as part of the club’s determination to maintain “a zero-tolerance approach to racism and discrimination both here in the UK and abroad.”
Spurs fans said they welcomed the chance to have their say on the issue. Darren Alexander, chairman of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, said: “Any time a club the size of Tottenham actually enters a consultation process with its fans is a great thing. We ourselves have been helping Spurs work on this particular paper for the past eight weeks or so and, from our point of view, it’s great that they asked for our input in preparing it.”
He added: “One of the things we push for constantly is proper two-way communication — that will only continue to grow as we show a professional attitude and manner, and that goes for our fans as well. The better they put themselves across, the more the club will want to communicate with them.”
The survey, which is being conducted on behalf of Spurs by independent research company Populus, also includes general questions about supporters’ involvement with the club.