This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/21/football-fans-charged-yid-spurs-matches

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Football fans charged over 'Yid' chants at Spurs matches Football fans charged over 'Yid' chants at Tottenham matches
(about 1 hour later)
Three football fans have been charged after allegedly using the word "Yid" at Spurs matches. Three football fans have been charged for allegedly using the word "Yid" at Spurs matches.
Gary Whybrow, 31, Sam Parsons, 24, and Peter Ditchman, 52, are due to appear before magistrates on 4 February charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words.Gary Whybrow, 31, Sam Parsons, 24, and Peter Ditchman, 52, are due to appear before magistrates on 4 February charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words.
Whybrow, from west London, and Parsons, from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, are accused of committing the offence at White Hart Lane during Tottenham Hotspur v FC Sheriff on 7 November 2013, while Ditchman, from Bishop's Stortford, allegedly used the language at Spurs v West Ham on 6 October 2013. Whybrow, from west London, and Parsons, from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, are accused of committing the offence at White Hart Lane during Tottenham's Europa League match against Sheriff Tiraspol on 7 November 2013, while Ditchman, from Bishop's Stortford, allegedly used the language at Spurs v West Ham on 6 October 2013.
All three are accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.All three are accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.
It is alleged that the offences were racially aggravated. Ditchman is also accused of possessing cocaine at the October match. It is alleged the offences were racially aggravated. Ditchman is also accused of possessing cocaine at the October match.
Police have repeatedly warned fans not to use the word "Yid" in recent months, and have also made arrests over various antisemitic tweets aimed at Spurs fans. Police have repeatedly warned fans not to use the word "Yid" in recent months, and have also made arrests over antisemitic tweets aimed at Spurs fans.
In October Scotland Yard said it believed using the word would constitute a criminal offence. The force said: "Some words – like the 'Y' word - which historically have been perceived by some as acceptable, cause harassment, alarm or distress to others, and people who use this language could be committing a criminal offence." In October Scotland Yard said it believed using the word would constitute a criminal offence. It said: "Some words – like the 'Y' word – which historically have been perceived by some as acceptable, cause harassment, alarm or distress to others, and people who use this language could be committing a criminal offence."
The Football Association and the sport's anti-racism campaign Kick It Out have previously stated they do not believe the term should be used in any context at a football ground, but the issue has sparked debate. The Football Association and the sport's anti-racism campaign Kick It Out have stated they do not believe the term should be used in any context at a football ground, but the issue has sparked debate.
Many Spurs supporters use the term to describe themselves and object to being told not to use it. The club has a strong Jewish following and fans have been on the receiving end of antisemitic abuse from opposition supporters for many years.Many Spurs supporters use the term to describe themselves and object to being told not to use it. The club has a strong Jewish following and fans have been on the receiving end of antisemitic abuse from opposition supporters for many years.
In an act of defiance, some started using the word "Yid" themselves, and chants of "Yids", "Yid army" and "Yiddos" are regularly sung at matches.In an act of defiance, some started using the word "Yid" themselves, and chants of "Yids", "Yid army" and "Yiddos" are regularly sung at matches.
The prime minister got involved last year when he appeared to side with Spurs supporters in an interview with the Jewish Chronicle in September. David Cameron said there was "a difference between Spurs fans self-describing themselves as 'Yids' and someone calling someone a 'Yid' as an insult", adding: "You have to be motivated by hate. Hate speech should be prosecuted – but only when it's motivated by hate."The prime minister got involved last year when he appeared to side with Spurs supporters in an interview with the Jewish Chronicle in September. David Cameron said there was "a difference between Spurs fans self-describing themselves as 'Yids' and someone calling someone a 'Yid' as an insult", adding: "You have to be motivated by hate. Hate speech should be prosecuted – but only when it's motivated by hate."