Frank Lampard backing anti-semitism campaign

14 April 2011 14:31
England's Frank Lampard is among Premier League stars spearheading a campaign to rid English football of anti-Semitism.[LNB]The Chelsea midfielder has joined Tottenham's Ledley King and Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs in a film, written and produced by David and Ivor Baddiel, which tackles anti-Jewish abuse.[LNB]The Kick It Out campaign is behind the new initiative which targets chants of 'Yiddo' by Tottenham fans, many of whom are Jewish themselves.[LNB] Kick it out: Frank Lampard has put his weight behind the campaign[LNB] Lampard, in the video message beingsent out to clubs, said: 'For some reason some fans still shout theY-word. Some might think it's just a bit of a laugh, but racistchanting is against the law.[LNB]'It's against the law to call someone the Y-word on the street.'[LNB]Match of the Day presenter GaryLineker, who used to play for Tottenham, also appears in the one-minutefilm, which has the backing of the FA and the PFA and features a clipof fans hissing: 'Spurs are on their way to Auschwitz, Hitler's goingto gas them again.'[LNB]David Baddiel, the televisioncomedian and novelist whose mother Sarah was a refugee from NaziGermany, said: 'The film is not intended to censor football fans.[LNB]'It's simply to raise awareness that the Y-word is - and has been for many, many years - a race hate word.[LNB]'It's our belief that some footballfans may not even realise this, and the film is designed therefore toinform and raise debate.'[LNB]The Kick It Out organisation says the'Yiddo' chant often results in variations of the term 'Yid' beinghurled back with venom at Tottenham fans by rival supporters.[LNB] Celebrity backing: Spurs captain Ledley King is also backing the campaign[LNB]Tottenham executive director, DonnaCullen, said: 'It is unthinkable and wholly unacceptable that, in thisday and age, supporters are subjected to anti-Semitic abuse such ashissing to imitate the gas chambers used during the Holocaust in theSecond World War.[LNB]'We are committed to eliminating all forms of racism and we shall support efforts to kick anti-Semitism out of the game.'[LNB]Tottenham, which has traditionally drawn a large fan base from the Jewish communities of north London, is careful not to condemn its own followers, who call themselves the "Yid Army."[LNB]'Historically the 'Y-word' chant has been adopted by Spurs fans as a 'call to arms' in order to own the term and thereby deflect anti-Semitic abuse,' Cullen said. [LNB]'A small number of both Jewish and non-Jewish Spurs fans use the 'Y-word' in what they consider to be an inoffensive manner.[LNB]'The defining principle has always been whether or not the term is being used in a manner and in a tone which is deliberately intended to cause offense. [LNB] 'In incidences which have resulted in prosecution of opposition fans, this has been the differentiating factor.'[LNB]The biggest concern is that 'Yiddo' chants that might seem innocuous lead to far more sinister chants raining down the stands across the country.[LNB] 'Yid Army': Many Tottenham fans use the 'Y-word' [LNB]It was anti-Semitic abuse at Chelsea that inspired Baddiel and his brother Ivor to produce "The Y-Word" video.[LNB] With Chelsea hosting Aston Villa in October 2008, the Blues-supporting brothers were horrified to hear foul-mouthed chants after the result of Tottenham's match against Hull was announced at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]'A large section of the crowd at Chelsea were gleefully chanting, 'Yiddo, Yiddo,'' said Ivor Baddiel, an author and writer for TV shows. [LNB]'My brother and I have been going to Chelsea for 30 years now and it's happened quite a lot and we have tolerated it despite feeling uncomfortable.'[LNB] Racist chants: Tottenham fans' chants can result in racist abuse being hurled back at them[LNB]But what enraged Ivor was when a fan started bellowing '(Expletive) the Yids, (Expletive) the Jews.'[LNB]'I'm a mild-mannered man,' Baddiel said. 'But I snapped. I stood up and confronted the guy and told him to shut up. Incredibly he shut up ... Then I said to my brother,  "Enough is enough, we've got to do something about it."'[LNB]The Baddiels turned to Kick It Out, a British group that campaigns for equality and inclusion in football and helped to largely eradicate the racial abuse of black players in England.[LNB]It took almost three years to produce the "Y-Word" campaign. Hoping to avoid offending or blaming Tottenham fans, the film required months of editing and rewriting.[LNB]'The changes were made to ensure it was obvious this was the whole of football's problem,' Ivor said.[LNB] 'Y-word': David Baddiel (left) and his brother are launching a campaign to kick anti-semitism out of football[LNB]Ivor believes Tottenham fans should not use the term "Yids," even if it is not meant spitefully.[LNB]'I don't agree where they are coming from ... the cons outweigh the pros,' Baddiel said. [LNB]'If Spurs call themselves 'Yids,' it leads to other teams chanting it back at them in a negative way with hatred which leads to those other chants about the Holocaust.'[LNB]"The Y-Word" film is set to be aired before matches in grounds across London, where the problem is perceived to be greater.[LNB]'Clubs are keen on one level to take on racism but also keen that their club should not be seen as racist,' said David Baddiel, the comedian who co-wrote the English football anthem "Three Lions."[LNB]Tottenham sees "The Y-Word" as a starting point for a debate on a wider issue.[LNB]'Whilst we recognize the sensitivities around the use of the Y-word, this is only one aspect of the debate when tackling anti-Semitism,' Cullen said.[LNB] See you next season! Bale targets an instant return to the Champions LeagueCalamity Gomes vows to bounce back from Champions League gaffeLet's do it again! Harry wants another crack at the Champions League All the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: David Baddiel, Frank Lampard, Ledley King Places: London, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail