Police to investigate any allegation of racist chanting (From Haringey Independent)

Police to investigate any allegation of racist chanting

3:20pm Tuesday 13th November 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

Metropolitan Police say any case of racist chanting at a Spurs game will be thoroughly investigated if it is brought to their attention.

The statement comes after anti-racism group, The Society of Black Lawyers, said it would report chants of ‘Yid army’ by Spurs fans to the police if the club did not take action.

The group says the chant is anti-semitic and has called for Spurs to take swift action or the group will make an official complaint to police for investigation and possibly prosecution.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “The Metropolitan Police takes any allegation of racist chanting and/or behaviour very seriously and if any matters are brought to our attention they will of course be thoroughly investigated.

“The MPS routinely works very closely with football clubs and partner agencies to monitor behaviour to ensure public confidence and safety.”

In response to the warning from the group, during the club's last game at White Hart Lane against NK Maribor, fans were heard singing “we’ll sing what we want” and the controversial chant “Yid army”.

The club has backed fans and a spokesman said: “Our fans adopted the chant as a defence mechanism in order to own the term and thereby deflect anti-semitic abuse.

“They do not use the term to others to cause any offence, they use it a chant amongst themselves.”

Chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers Peter Herbert says a report will be made to police if the chants do not stop by Tuesday November 20.