Three charged over 'yid' chants at Tottenham Hotspur games Ravel Morrison The word, meaning Jew, was allegedly used at matches against FC Sheriff and West Ham United 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. Continue reading the main story What is the Y-Word? Screenshot of BBC Religion and Ethics feature "The Y-word: Should Tottenham fans be allowed to use it?" The word 'yid' means Jew in Yiddish In itself, it does not have any negative connotations It is thought it was used as an insult in the 20th Century, especially around the time of Oswald Mosley and the Black Shirts in the 1930s 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." From the BBC website
If I (no Jewish connections) can't say it, then they can't say it. All anti-free speech laws are BS but at least they can be consistent.
they to my knowledge have always said this word, its only lately like everything ****ing else its suddenly become offensive in society or trying to make out that's the meaning to the word. In itself, it does not have any negative connotations well obviously it now does or how can it be deemed a prosecutable offence.
Spurs argue they have "reclaimed" the word and therefore they do not use it in an offensive way. They would no doubt object to anyone else using it, all language can be acceptable to one person but when used in a different context offensive to that very same person. Personally I think the CPS could end up in a legal minefield if they start trying to make the use of certain words a criminal offence without taking into account where, when and in what context the word was used. Take the "n" word if the use of the word becomes a criminal offence every rap artist in the country would be locked up (from a musical point of view this may be a good move, but not from a human rights viewpoint)
Few thoughts on this: It reminds me of the whole reclaiming '******' as a term of endearment. In that case, it's perfectly fine for persons of black origin to use to call themselves, but there's uproar if anyone non-black uses the word to them. Here, they can call themselves 'Yids' (Or Yiddish? I don't know...) but no one else can say it to them. I have no doubt that there's no negativity involved in such 'reclaiming' but I don't understand it and certainly, as far as any legality must be concerned, there can't be exceptions. It's either an offensive word or it isn't. Basically though, you can't talk about anything to do with race, religion or creed anywhere for fear of someone being 'offended' these days so just steer clear of it all.
The word must have only have been seen as derogatory over recent years? There was an entertainer of the Jewish faith who's most famous song was "My Yiddisha Momma"(in the 50's I think)and its been shown on TV here in recent years.
More offensive than what Anelka did. "Yid" is almost always used as a negative word. Everyone knows it is inappropriate... not just a few overly sensitive frogs.
well i honestly didn't know it was offensive, the word has been said for donkeys to my knowledge. why only lately a fuss made then if it is offensive? sounds like pc rubbish personally, but i don't know.
The ironic thing about this is when the spuds go and play in Europe against the likes of Lazio they get dogs abuse for their Jewish links from the opposition fans and nobody ever really does anything about it apart from small fines. Now their own fans are getting charged for singing a spurs song
Funny old world indeed. I'm part Chinese and,especially when I was younger, was frequently called 'Chink', and I've used the phrase myself.
