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Three charged over 'yid' chants at Tottenham Hotspur games

LOL

Three men have been charged with racial aggravation in connection with chanting the word "yid" at two football matches.

Gary Whybrow, 31, of west London, Sam Parsons, 24, of Amersham, and Peter Ditchman, 52, of Bishop's Stortford, were charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words.

The word, meaning Jew, was allegedly used at Tottenham Hotspur matches against FC Sheriff and West Ham United.

The three men are due before Hendon Magistrates' Court on 4 February.

Some Spurs fans say they have reclaimed the word, turning it into a badge of honour and deflecting the offensive meaning attached to it by some opposing fans
The Y-word: Should Tottenham fans be allowed to use it?
"The alleged offences were racially aggravated within the terms of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998", the Metropolitan Police said.

Mr Ditchman is also charged with possession of cocaine on 6 October, the same day as the Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United match.

In a statement, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust (THST) said it was "saddened, but certainly not surprised, at today's decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to deem the use of the Y-word in any context as a prosecutable offence".

"Since the first Spurs fan was arrested at White Hart Lane on 6 October, THST has worked closely with our legal team to establish a defence to these charges, which will now be tested in a court of law.

"It remains our firm belief that, when used in a footballing context by Tottenham Hotspur supporters, there is no intent or desire to offend any member of the Jewish community."

Comments

  • Oh god here we go.
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,386
    Mr Ditchman is also charged with possession of cocaine on 6 October, the same day as the Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United match.

    what a waste of good Charlie .. watching W/Ham whilst hurling abuse
  • SELR_addicks
    SELR_addicks Posts: 15,506
    Were they Spurs fans? Because it being the away support makes it a completely different case altogether.
  • Riviera
    Riviera Posts: 8,167
    I didn't realise three people could be so loud......
  • JohnBoyUK
    JohnBoyUK Posts: 9,049

    LOL

    LOL indeed. FFS.

    I'm keeping my opinions about this off of here. You all know full well what camp I'm in.


  • Chizz
    Chizz Posts: 28,356
    The police have warned fans against the use of the "y-word". Scotland Yard said it would constitute a criminal offence. The FA and Kick It Out have stated they do not believe the term should be used in any context at a football ground.

    In those circumstances, probably the best thing to have done would be not to have used the word.

    Very, very little sympathy.
  • Rizzo
    Rizzo Posts: 6,438
    I can just see the NYPD moving in force into Harlem based on reports that the n-word was being used by black people when referring to themselves...
  • cafcdave123
    cafcdave123 Posts: 11,491
    JohnBoyUK said:

    LOL

    LOL indeed. FFS.

    I'm keeping my opinions about this off of here. You all know full well what camp I'm in.


    Id be careful talking about "yids" and "camps" in the same sentence. ........