The Y-word – again (Video)
With racism rearing its ugly head once again, the Society of Black Lawyers have now called on referee Mark Clattenburg to be suspended during the investigation into claims he racially abused John Obi Mikel. The Premiership official is accused of using racist language during the Chelsea – Manchester United encounter, which the Blues fell to a 3-2 defeat.
A highly charged affair it was, with both Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres given their marching orders, but it will always be overshadowed by the aforementioned accusation. Now, while I agree that Clattenburg should be suspended until a verdict is reached, it is their warning towards Tottenham Hotspur that has a majority of fans scratching their heads in disbelief.
For those blissfully unaware, Spurs supporters chant ‘Yid Army’ in a non-derogatory fashion, having adopted the formerly offensive saying. With it, fans now refer to themselves as ‘Yids’ or the ‘Yid Army’ as a result.
Yet, after hearing a Chelsea fan referred to Spurs fans as ‘Yid’s’, comedian David Baddiel opted to take it upon himself to criticise Spurs fans of the chant, rather than the fan behind him. Being of Jewish descent, you can under Baddiel’s concern, but to make it out as though supporters of the North London side, who adopted the chant in order to take the initial offense out of it, are the bad guys in this is wholeheartedly wrong and narrow minded on his behalf.
And now the Society of Black Lawyers have taken it upon themselves to insist that a “report will be made if this behaviour does not cease by 20 November” and are prepared to take matters in their own hands should the “problem” not be rectified.
Prior to the above date, Spurs have one game at White Hart Lane, a Europa League encounter with Maribor on Thursday night, and two away Premiership games against Manchester City on Sunday and Arsenal on November 17th.
Should they indeed press ahead with their complaint, claiming “we will have monitors in attendance to observe what occurs”, then it is more unnecessary press that the club will have to deal with. Furthermore, with fans often chanting ‘Yiddo’ to players or ‘Yidio’ when Spurs score, they are going to have a tough tasking pressing charges against 36,000 fans of the club.
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