Tottenham tells fans to stop using Y-word as club changes its position and explains why

SPURS have called on fans to stop using the Y-word.

Tottenham supporters adopted the Y-word in the 1970s as a badge of honour in response to repeated anti-Semitism from rival fans.

Spurs have long been associated with a large Jewish fan base, with some waving the Star of David as a signal of that heritage.

Supporters sing songs about “Being a Y**” and chant “Y** army” even though a minority of Tottenham fans are Jewish.

But some rival fans used that as an excuse to conflate Tottenham and Judaism and abuse with blatant anti-Semitic songs and chants.

And now the club, which had long backed supporters using the term, has changed its position and urged it to cease.

In a statement to supporters on its website, Spurs said: “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.

“We have always maintained that our fans have never used it with any deliberate attempt to offend.

“Indeed, among the reasons some fans choose to continue to chant the term now is to show unity and support for the team, as well as each other, as a defence mechanism against antisemitic abuse that still exists and also as a way to identify as a Spurs fan.

“Outside of a football setting, however, an overwhelming majority of our fans acknowledged that the Y-word can be considered as a racist term and that they would therefore not use it in such a context.“

Tottenham have now conducted two surveys of fans and 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.“

The club pointed to other sports clubs – such as Exeter Chiefs in rugby union and US sporting franchises – who have changed nicknames and badges to reflect modern sensitivities.

Tottenham added: “The adoption of the Y-word by our supporters from the late 1970s was a positive response to the lack of action taken by others around this issue. 

“Our supporters’ use of the Y-word should never be cited as an excuse for the real evil that is antisemitism. 

“The adoption of the term was a direct consequence of the lack of action taken in the past on this matter.

“An increasing number of our fans now wish to see positive change again with the reduction of its use, something we welcome and shall look to support.

“There is a growing desire and acknowledgment from supporters that the Y-word should be used less or stop being used altogether.

“We recognise how these members of our fanbase feel and we also believe it is time to move on from associating this term with our club.”

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