Arsenal investigating ‘gas them all’ chant by fan
Club confirm to Jewish News they are looking into “the extremely disappointing and unacceptable” incident
Arsenal have told Jewish News they are investigating after one of its fans was caught on film singing an anti-Semitic song.
Confirming they are looking into the incident, where a supporter, on his way to last Thursday’s Europa League match against AC Milan, sang ‘gas them all’ in relation to Tottenham Hotpsur supporters, they did though say it “would be difficult to identify the spokesman.”
Condemning “behaviour of this nature”, a club spokesman told Jewish News: “Arsenal is an inclusive club which welcomes everyone and this incident is extremely disappointing and unacceptable.”
The video – which was sent to the Jewish News by a fan – followed the man on his way to the match, as he sung the vile chant.
The fan, who wished to remain anonymous said he’s reported the incident to the club, adding: “I would unhappily say that this is the worst piece of football-related racial hatred I have ever seen.”
A spokesman for Action Against Discrimination, a charity set up to combat racism in football, said: “In the light of anti-Semitic abuse reported by Robert Preston, the anti-Semitism task force established by Roman Abramovich, numerous and ongoing reports of recent claims of racism in football stadiums, the problem goes on unabated. This – Arsenal fans continuing to chant anti-Semitic songs at football matches – is merely the latest example.
“Once again, we implore the relevant bodies to look at this [latest example] and to take swift and appropriate action.”
Kick It Out, football’s equality and inclusion organisation, condemned the incident telling Jewish News: “Antisemitism is completely unacceptable in football and wider society, and the organisation hopes that any offenders identified will be appropriately dealt with.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
