The footballing world was shaken to its core in recent weeks as the news broke that some Chelsea and Arsenal fans might be gigantic anti-Semites.
Except that wasn’t the case; all too sadly, nobody was surprised at all to hear that Chelsea supporters in Europe had let themselves down again.
It then emerged after the Carabao Cup quarter final at The Emirates, that some Arsenal fans think that it is normal to swear, spit at and toss coinsat Spurs supporters.
Tottenham fans of my vintage and older can confirm that supporters from certain English sides have despairingly lengthy form for viciously abusing Jews.
Spurs probably have no more Jewish fans than anyone else these days, but the problem is deep rooted. This is not just a football thing.
It’s no great riddle why East End Jews (that fled from Europe in the 1930s) preferred to travel up to White Hart Lane in North London to watch a game, rather than join the indigenous West Ham crowds at the far closer Upton Park.
It was the Jewish street gangs that fought and defeated Moseley’s black shirts – on more than one occasion on the cobbles of the capital.
The danger here is the glacial acceptance. Sure, there are always investigations and banning orders but fundamentally, nothing changes.
The sanctimony from high profile Jewish football fans Matt Lucas (Arsenal) and David Baddiel (Chelsea) particularly grates.
According to this fine pair, Spurs fans have brought this on themselves, by referring to themselves as ‘Yids’. Despite this word not having a vaguely pejorative etymology.
Ignorance is bliss – Matt Lucas Tweet
It was a word adopted by bigots and has since been reclaimed by Tottenham fans who use it in a fraternal, tribal manner.
Language evolves – this is quite normal.
What isn’t normal though, is being lectured by comedians who have both repeatedly ‘blacked up’ in order get a laugh.
David Baddiel – as football Jason Lee on Fantasy Football League
The answers to this mess don’t lie in day trips to Auschwitz, fines or banning orders, but in educating the next generation to be better than the last one.
Severe point deductions must be introduced.
If clubs with anti-Semitic fans were deducted 10 points every time they behaved appallingly, the problem would be driven out of football quicker than you could say, ‘Onion Pletzel, anyone?‘
*4 pt gap.
Everton is tricky plus Bournemouth and Wolves at home all potential banana skins all quite capable of beating Spurs on their home match over the festive period.
After Citeh’s surprising defeat yesterday, opening up a 4 pr gap and playing Citeh shortly you do sense it’s Liverpool for the PL title.
Lads? It’s Cardiff. Playing relegation fodder and fielding your strongest (well almost) XI tends to get results when you’ve got quality players. Can’t stand United, but Mourhino is a next tuesday, good riddance and hope to never see him work in England again.
Of course, just don’t ask Diane Abbott to oversee that
All Man U players have today declared themselves as non-Poch players by their performance. They don’t play for the team, or club, but for themselves first. I’ll stop now because I’m starting to feel like the drunk guy in the pub talking politics and everyone’s gone home. G’night
Will be interesting to see how Marco Silva approaches this match. We have real problems defending corners and high balls into the box, so maybe he plays Tosun up top and Richarlison on the left and has Siggy, Walnut, and Gomes lofting them into the box. Or maybe he fancies Bernard tying Trips into knots and cutting them back for Siggy and Richarlison, with Richarlison as the striker and Tosun or Calvert Lewin coming off the bench. Looking for a nervy 1-2 win for us and praying for no injuries, we’re so thin at the moment we’ll be lucky to get through the festive season still able to field XI healthy players.
Off topic: so Pochettino, help yourself to a bunch of overpaid divas that after 4 months of absolute fudge suddenly decide to put in a shift because a new guy came in, and win 5-1. Good luck with that set of “players”. Today’s result gave us all the answers about that squad, and if I was Man U board, I’ll sell the lot, at a discount. Disgraceful the whole lot if them. Norwegian little pawn cherub did nothing tactically to improve that team, they just decided that “ok, today we’ll put in a shift because maybe we have to”. Good luck Mauricio with that bunch of cocks
Can we deduct the Labour Party 10 points?
*4 pt gap.
Everton is tricky plus Bournemouth and Wolves at home all potential banana skins all quite capable of beating Spurs on their home match over the festive period.
After Citeh’s surprising defeat yesterday, opening up a 4 pr gap and playing Citeh shortly you do sense it’s Liverpool for the PL title.
Will be interesting to see how Marco Silva approaches this match. We have real problems defending corners and high balls into the box, so maybe he plays Tosun up top and Richarlison on the left and has Siggy, Walnut, and Gomes lofting them into the box. Or maybe he fancies Bernard tying Trips into knots and cutting them back for Siggy and Richarlison, with Richarlison as the striker and Tosun or Calvert Lewin coming off the bench. Looking for a nervy 1-2 win for us and praying for no injuries, we’re so thin at the moment we’ll be lucky to get through the festive season still able to field XI healthy players.
Lads? It’s Cardiff. Playing relegation fodder and fielding your strongest (well almost) XI tends to get results when you’ve got quality players. Can’t stand United, but Mourhino is a next tuesday, good riddance and hope to never see him work in England again.
All Man U players have today declared themselves as non-Poch players by their performance. They don’t play for the team, or club, but for themselves first. I’ll stop now because I’m starting to feel like the drunk guy in the pub talking politics and everyone’s gone home. G’night
Off topic: so Pochettino, help yourself to a bunch of overpaid divas that after 4 months of absolute fudge suddenly decide to put in a shift because a new guy came in, and win 5-1. Good luck with that set of “players”. Today’s result gave us all the answers about that squad, and if I was Man U board, I’ll sell the lot, at a discount. Disgraceful the whole lot if them. Norwegian little pawn cherub did nothing tactically to improve that team, they just decided that “ok, today we’ll put in a shift because maybe we have to”. Good luck Mauricio with that bunch of cocks
Of course, just don’t ask Diane Abbott to oversee that
Can we deduct the Labour Party 10 points?