England’s Arsenal soccer club probing ‘disturbing’ antisemitism involving its fans

Premier League team reports pair of antisemitic incidents at game against Tottenham and nearby pub, denounces behavior

Illustrative: Fans arrive ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 15, 2023. (Adrian Dennis/AFP)
Illustrative: Fans arrive ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 15, 2023. (Adrian Dennis/AFP)

LONDON — England’s Arsenal soccer club revealed on Wednesday that an investigation has been launched into a pair of “disturbing” antisemitic incidents following its north London derby win against Tottenham on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders said one incident took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the other at a pub in Islington, north London, later that day.

“We have been made aware of two disturbing incidents over the weekend involving antisemitism which are now under investigation,” an Arsenal statement said on Wednesday.

“There was an incident at the north London derby on Sunday involving Arsenal supporters in which one of our fans overheard grossly offensive antisemitic statements made by another Arsenal fan,” the team said.

“On the same afternoon, we were appalled to hear of an incident at The Cally pub in Islington, involving other antisemitic chants,” it added. “We recognize the impact this behavior has on our many Jewish supporters and others and condemn the use of language of this nature, which has no place in our game or society.”

The Cally pub incident appeared to have been described in a Twitter thread early Monday.

“Arsenal must be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, and we want to be clear that any kind of discriminatory abuse is not welcome at our club. We will not stand for this kind of behavior and will take strong action against any supporters who we establish are responsible for such acts. Anyone identified will receive a lengthy club ban and their details will be passed to the police to commence legal proceedings,” the statement said.

Arsenal’s 2-0 win, their first in the league at Tottenham since 2014, was also marred by a fan attack on goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after the final whistle.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, in green, is ushered away after an incident at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, January 15, 2023. (AP/Frank Augstein)

Joseph Watts, a 35-year-old from Hackney, has been charged with “assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to a playing area and throwing a missile on to a soccer playing area” and is due to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on February 17.

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