UK charges 3 for saying ‘Yid’ at Tottenham games
Supporters of British soccer team charged with causing ‘harassment, alarm or distress’ by uttering anti-Semitic slur
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British authorities have charged three football fans with using a derogatory term for Jews at Tottenham matches.
London’s Metropolitan Police on Tuesday announced the racially-aggravated charges for causing “harassment, alarm or distress” by using a “threatening, abusive or insulting” word — Yid.
It comes after police warned they would arrest Tottenham fans who use “Yid” in chants affectionately to deflect anti-Semitic abuse. Some Tottenham fans call themselves the “Yid Army.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron has said fans should only be prosecuted if they use “Yid” as an insult.
Gary Whybrow and Sam Parsons are accused of using the word at a Europa League game in November against FC Sheriff. Peter Ditchman is accused of using “Yid” at an October Premier League game against West Ham.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
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