Tottenham Hotspur ask fans to 'move on' from using 'Y-word' after review

Tottenham Hotspur have today released a statement condemning the use of the "Y-word", saying they believe it's "time to reassess" the use of it.

The north London football club held supporter focus groups about the use of the "Y-word", which concluded in the summer of 2020.

"We are living in times of heightened awareness of cultural appropriation and sensitivities. It is therefore crucial to the values of our club and our fans that we are even more mindful of the controversial nature of this term", the club said in a statement.

The "Y-word" is a pejorative term or insult for Jewish people, which is used ironically by Tottenham fans.

Some of the club's key findings revealed:

• Members of our fanbase feel uncomfortable with the "Y-word's" continued use at matches
• Supporters who were prepared to defend their position on why they use the term expressed an openness to its use being reduced if it caused offence to fellow fans
• Supporters, especially those of a younger generation, are often unaware of the term's meaning and its historical context when chanting it
• That now, more than ever, is the time to reassess and reconsider its ongoing use

In 2019, the club found that 33% of respondents in a survey used the "Y-word" in a footballing context, while almost half of the people who took part wanted to see the word used less, or not at all.

In the statement, Tottenham added: "As a club, we always strive to create a welcoming environment that embraces all our fans so that every one of our supporters can feel included in the matchday experience.

"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."

"Antisemitism remains a serious issue in football and more needs to be done to combat it. We believe that antisemitic abuse must be given the same zero tolerance that other forms of discriminatory behaviour receive," they added.

Speaking to Sky News in 2020, Jewish comedian David Baddiel said: "The vast majority of fans of the club, including those who self-designate as 'Y-words', are not Jewish and therefore have no right of 'reclamation'".

Record number of antisemitic incidents last year

The Community Security Trust (CST) yesterday reported a record number of antisemitic incidents in 2021 in their most recent findings.

A spokesperson for the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism told Sky News: "We applaud Tottenham for tackling this sensitive issue.

"More and more fans from other clubs are using the term as a form of abuse towards Spurs players, staff and fans, and are dangerously conflating their adversarial view of Tottenham with their perception of the Jewish community.

"In the meantime, other football clubs must urgently clamp down on the use of the phrase by their supporters as a form of abuse towards Spurs fans, and as a racist epithet against ordinary Jews."