Antisemitism in British Football

 This blog will be discussing my current research project, which focuses on antisemitism in British football. I began researching antisemitism in sport when undertaking my undergraduate studies, I became interested in the topic when my family members were discussing the anti-Semitic abuse Tottenham Hotspurs, also known as Spurs, receive. I hope that this project will encourage the conversation on antisemitism and will make individuals more aware of its prevalence within the football field, and in society more broadly.

Antisemitism is a global issue, with 26% of the world’s population admitting they harbour anti-Semitic views. In short, antisemitism is the suspicion, dislike or hatred of Jewish individuals or groups.  Antisemitism can include, but is not limited to, claims that Jews are too powerful, too rich and part of the capitalist oppressor class. It also includes myths,  conspiracies and/or claims that Jews control the media, economy, government or other societal institutions. Members of the Jewish community have also been mocked for their physical appearances, customs and beliefs.  Those who have been victims of antisemitic behaviour may have also received verbal abuse and physical attacks on either themselves as an individual or as a group.

Antisemitism has been witnessed in football stadiums all over Europe since the 1960’s. Highly common, antisemitic language and symbols are being chanted by football clubs towards their rivals. However, it was not until the 1970s and 1980s, in particular, when antisemitic chants could be heard at football matches in the UK. In the context of British football, Spurs have been known to receive a significant amount of antisemitic abuse from their opposing teams, usually the London competitors, West Ham, Chelsea and Arsenal. Spurs are internationally recognised as a ‘Jewish club’. This is due to a multitude of factors, including the demographics of the fans, religious identities of current and previous shareholders, and/or the nickname that the fans identify with, Yid, a Jewish ethnonym, which was later abbreviated by the Nazi’s and is now recognised as race hate term used by anti-Semites.

The clubs perceived connection to the Jewish faith has resulting in anti-Semitic abuse coming from the opposing clubs. Anti-Semitic abuse includes imitating gas chambers, performing Nazi salutes and mocking Jewish traditions and customs by wearing construction face masks pretending they are yarmulke or kippahs (the traditional headwear that Jews wear). Most common is the chanting phrases which make reference to Hitler and Nazi Germany in 1945, whereby 6 million Jews killed. In 2019, Southampton FC were heard chanting this chant which is amongst many anti-Semitic phrases which have been heard at matches. The quote below is just one of the discriminatory chants that Spurs may receive at matches.

“Spurs are on their way to Auschwitz, Hitler's gonna gas them again."

 

Although anti-Semitic hate has been aimed towards Tottenham Hotspur, there are other clubs outside of Britain who are also considered ‘Jewish’ clubs, this includes AFC Ajax in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, because of this association they have been targets of anti-Semitic hate and also hear offensive and distasteful chants. Opposing fans have argued that their chanting is not in fact anti-Semitic and that it is commonly used to provoke rivalling fans, suggesting that there are no discriminatory intentions. Although sporting rivalries can occur when there are differences in regard to ethnicity, religious identities, politics, nationality, and class, antisemitic abuse is amongst many discriminatory behaviours which can cause supporters and players to feel uncomfortable and also unwelcome.

We can recognise that there is considerable research looking into racism in sport; however, currently there is limited literature on antisemitism in British football. Therefore, my research will explore antisemitism in the context of British football and will aim to develop an initiative which can be used by football clubs to decrease anti-Semitic behaviours at football matches. To do this, I will critically, evaluate previous anti-discrimination initiatives which have previously been used in football and sport to eradicate other discriminatory behaviours. By doing this, I will identify good practice on how antisemitism may be tackled. From the feedback I will develop the initiative, which will then be trialled on specific focus groups to see how supporters and employees of British football teams respond. By producing an educational initiative this project will be of substantial significance for football clubs, academics and policymakers, and will hopefully make football a more equal and inclusive place for the Jewish community.

 

Bio: Bonita Lunn is a current MPhil/PhD student studying at Oxford Brookes.  She previously studied at the University of Winchester where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree and Masters by Research. Contact details: blunn@brookes.ac.uk and Twitter @BonitaJayneLunn