Police, English FA look into apparent anti-Semitic chants by West Ham fans at Tottenham in EPL

LONDON – London police and the English Football Association are investigating apparent anti-Semitic chants by West Ham fans during a Premier League match at Tottenham, while the London club pledged to impose life bans on any supporters found guilty.

On Sunday at White Hart Lane, West Ham fans were heard hissing to mock the gas chambers used during the Holocaust, and also chanting about Adolf Hitler. West Ham’s London rival, Tottenham, is known to have a large Jewish fan base.

Four days after a Tottenham fan was stabbed before a game at Lazio in the Europa League, some West Ham supporters were also heard chanting “Can we stab you every week?” and singing “Viva Lazio.”

At the game, two fans were arrested for making Nazi-style salutes for what police described as a “racially aggravated public order offence.” They both accepted police cautions, which are given to people who admit to minor offences but doesn’t count as a criminal conviction.

As the FA decides whether to charge West Ham over the conduct of its fans, the governing body says it is gathering information from Tottenham and West Ham and liaising with the police, which is now conducting its own inquiries after receiving a complaint.

West Ham said it is assisting Tottenham with their investigation “into the conduct of a small number of supporters and alleged inappropriate chanting.”

“West Ham United will take the strongest possible action against any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West Ham United,” West Ham said in a statement.

“During the 46 games in the Championship last season, West Ham United had zero arrests for racism or violence, so while we are surprised to see such reports today, we will examine any available evidence of such conduct thoroughly and take the appropriate action.”

The Community Security Trust, which monitors anti-Semitism in Britain and offers security services, said it has received complaints from Jewish fans at the Tottenham match and is seeking an urgent meeting with the FA.

“The days of English football crowds making massed monkey noises are thankfully gone,” CST spokesman Mark Gardner said. “But massed anti-Semitic chanting about Hitler and gassing was clearly heard yesterday from a loud section of West Ham fans.”

Gardner said the abuse “risks seriously compromising” efforts to eradicate racism from football.

“Fans who indulge in racist or anti-Semitic behaviour should be arrested, charged and banned,” he said. “We cannot have ‘the football family’ ignoring, and therefore encouraging, mass Nazi chanting.”

Tottenham beat West Ham 3-1.