Racist fans target Grant

By Marc Shoffman - Wednesday 3rd October 2007


Chelsea fans have been warned against anti-semitism while lawyers are monitoring newspaper reports regarding the appointment of Israeli manager Avram Grant.

The club removed several chatroom messages last week which claimed there was a Jewish conspiracy at Chelsea while some fans have set up groups on social networking site Facebook which describe Grant as “a f***ing yid.”

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Complainants have approached Teacher Stern Selby to monitor coverage of newspaper reports to assess whether some articles may have “racist overtones.”

TSS’s Graham Shear could not confirm who had complained or which articles where in question. A complaint could be taken to the Press Complaints Commission or could even fall under racial incitment laws.

Since his appointment after Jose Mourinho left Chelsea two weeks ago, Internet users have flocked to unofficial fans forums and Facebook highlighting Grant’s faith.

One Facebook user commented, “Avram Grant is a f**cking Jew c*nt who was lucky to escape the German oven,” a possible reference to his father being a Holocaust survivor.

Chelsea Chairman Bruce Buck wrote in the club’s matchday programme on Saturday, “We welcome all constructive points of view But there have been a few which could be viewed as racist and anti-semitic and that must stop immediately. This is one thing we will not tolerate whether in written correspondence, on the chat pages, on posters or banners or through singing and chanting. And it unfairly smears the reputation of the vast majority of Chelsea fans who rightly do not want to be associated with such activity.”
Jewish campaigners have expressed concern about the reception Grant has received..

Martin Berliner, Chief Executive at Maccabi GB, told the Jewish News: “We are concerned by the avenues it is going down. As soon as he was appointed there were a number of calls referring to his faith.

“Every football club has its difficulties, there is a concern that should he not be successful then people will turn on his beliefs.

Mark Gardner, Communications Director at the Community Security Trust added, “We are already concerned at the levels of anti-semitic abuse within football and have been working with Maccabi GB and the FA on the general issue. The Chelsea situation will certainly make things worse for the immediate future and it was sadly no surprise to see an antisemitic reaction on websites and internet chatrooms.”

Jonathan Metlis, member of the Advisory Group of Kick It Out said he will raise the issue at meetings, “Some of the articles I have seen have been disturbing and the fan’s reaction is all exasperated by that. Some of the reaction in terms of the Israeli Russian cabal and the anti Jewish bent is unacceptable.”

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