Tottenham call for fans to ‘move on’ from the Y-word

Leading anti-discrimination charities have welcomed Tottenham’s desire to “move on” from the Y-word being associated with the club.

Spurs fans have traditionally used the word, which is seen as anti-Semitic, as a way of standing up to abuse that began in the late 1970s and it is still used commonly at games today.

The club engaged in consultation with the fans over its use at the end of 2019 and have now delivered its findings following a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, saying that it is no longer possible for supporters to feel safe in the stadium while the word is being used.

Anti-Semitism charity Community Security Trust agrees with Tottenham’s stance and would be willing to help implement it.

“We welcome and totally support Tottenham’s desire to move forward,” director of policy Dave Rich told the PA news agency.

“It is a term that just does not belong in modern-day football.

“There are Spurs fans who have the opinion that the word stands up to abuse, but there are others that recognise it is time for the club to move on and there are others who really don’t like it.

Times have moved on now, there is a lot less racist abuse directed at Spurs fans in football grounds than there used to be, it still happens but less, and the punishment is much stronger.

“It is so incongruous to see Spurs players taking the knee before the match in opposition to racism and then when the match starts you have the Y-word, which is in any other context anti-Semitic abuse, ringing around the stadium.

“I think the club are actually right to take the position. We would absolutely help the club in terms of education and supporting fans who are upset by it.

“I think the club recognise you can’t tell your fans what to do, they will do the