Tottenham urge fans to ‘move on’ from using Y-word after review

Tottenham have called on their supporters to “move on” from using the word “Yid” after concluding a thorough review with fans’ focus groups.

Many Tottenham fans chant the controversial word – a derogatory term for a Jewish person – at matches, arguing that it is a reaction to antisemitic abuse supporters of the north London club were once subjected to by opposition fans.

However, a survey of 23,000 fans in 2019 found that 94% agreed that the use of the word could be considered racist. Among the key findings of a further review completed in 2020 were that many fans remained uncomfortable with the word being used at matches and that younger fans were unaware of the term’s meaning and historical context.

In a statement on Thursday, Tottenham said the continued use of the term went against their work to “create a welcoming environment that embraces all our fans”.

The club said: “It is clear the use of this term does not always make this possible, regardless of context and intention, and that there is a growing desire and acknowledgment from supporters that the Y-word should be used less or stop being used altogether.

“We recognise how these members of our fanbase feel and we also believe it is time to move on from associating this term with our club. The adoption of the Y-word by our supporters from the late 1970s was a positive response to the lack of action taken by others around this issue. An increasing number of our fans now wish to see positive change again with the reduction of its use, something we welcome and shall look to support.”

Tottenham said they already refrained from engaging with any social media that contained the word and did not permit it being printed on shirts in any official retail outlets.

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