TOTTENHAM have surveyed 23,000 fans and discovered that almost half want the Y-word chanted less or banned completely.
But 33 per cent of those who took part in the research admitted that they use the word regularly in a football context.
Tottenham fans have been consulted over the use of the Y-wordCredit: PA:Empics Sport
This is despite 94 per cent of people accepting that the word can be considered a racist term against a Jewish person.
Twelve per cent of people taking part in the project admitted to using the word outside of a footballing context.
The Premier League club shared the results from the survey on their website.
Twenty-three per cent of supporters want the word to “be chanted less” on matchdays, with 22 per cent wanting it banned altogether.
And the response from Spurs following the survey was a positive one.
ZERO TOLERANCE APPROACH
A statement reads: “We have always maintained that a reassessment of the use of the Y-word by Spurs fans can only take place effectively within an environment where there is also a zero tolerance approach taken towards real anti-Semitic abuse.
“It is the responsibility of every club and the authorities to deal with this and take unequivocal action to stamp it out. We shall be urging stronger action be taken.
“Sentiment around this term appears to be changing among the fanbase.
“There is a recognition of the offence the Y-word can cause and that a footballing context alone does not justify its continued use.
“We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and forward-thinking club and these findings indicate the awareness our fans have of current sensitivities and a willingness to reconsider the appropriateness of the continued use of this term.”
Eleven per cent of the respondents were Jewish.
The Y-word has been chanted in the stands during Spurs games since the 1970s, originally introduced to combat anti-semitism.
Police started to crack down on the chanting in 2016, and have said they will arrest anyone caught using the Y-word.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
