Chelsea have promised that anyone guilty of antisemitic language or behaviour will face action from the club that could include banning and attendance to an equality education course., whilst Liverpool have threatened any antisemites with lifetime bans following claims made last weekend.
The response comes after a Chelsea fan was ‘left disgusted’ by the chanting he heard from fellow fans. He took pictures of the alleged perpetrators and reported the incident to nearby stewards before being moved to the family enclosure ‘for his own safety’.
The west London side said the behaviour ‘shames our club’.
He said: “They were singing all the usual songs, the song, to the tune of Smoke gets in your eyes, about Martin Chivers being a Jew and being circumcised, along with the usual yiddo chants.”
An investigation has been launched in co-operation with Watford, where Chelsea were playing at, and the police.
Chelsea last week launched a ‘Say No to anti-Semitism’ campaign as part of their own inclusion work.
Owner Roman Abramovich was joined by high-profile individuals from across the Jewish community and by antisemitism campaigners at a gathering ahead of the match against Bournemouth on Transfer Deadline Day, which saw the lighting of a candle by Holocaust survivor Harry Spiro.
Chelsea said in a statement: “Antisemitism has no place in our club, football or wider society
“Anyone found guilty of antisemitic language or behaviour will face action from the club, including bans, and will be asked to attend equality education courses.
“We welcome the fact that Chelsea fans have reported this behaviour, which shames our club.
“We ask all fans who share our vision for a game open to all to report any kind of discrimination they witness or experience.
“We will be working closely with the police and Watford to identify those responsible and will take the appropriate action.”
Antisemitism reported at Liverpool match
Meanwhile, police are investigating allegations that Liverpool supporters directed antisemitic language towards Tottenham Hotspur players after the two sides met on Sunday.
Video footage appeared to show a Liverpool fan in the Main Stand section of Anfield using an offensive term.
A journalist at the match said said: “There was about three or four people that passed me on the way out of Anfield who were engaged in it.
Liverpool Football Club condemned the alleged antisemitic abuse, and has said it is working with Merseyside Police, Tottenham Hotspur and Kick It Out to identify those responsible.
A club spokesman said: “We investigate all reported incidents at Anfield and anyone found guilty of such an offence would receive a lifetime stadium ban.”
Source: Hertfordshire Mercury / Jewish Chronicle
