Sports Minister Mims Davies has set out the Government’s plan to crack down on incidents of racism and anti-Semitism at football matches.
The Tory MP has set up a working group with several anti-racism organisations to try to find solutions.
In a letter to one of the campaign bodies, she wrote: “We have witnessed the appalling scenes of racism directed at our players in Montenegro. If this country is going to show the rest of the world that this behaviour is intolerable, then we need to ensure we are making all efforts to combat racism domestically.”
Davies set out six key areas for review, while Mirror Sport understands the Government is also taking a particular interest in anti-Semitism within football and the use of the word “Yid”.
She revealed there should be a review of punishments for racism, a closer working relationship between police and football authorities and better stewarding at matches. Improvements in the reporting of incidents on the pitch was also required and officials needed to be “aware of their responsibilities”.
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Attempts should also be made to increase the numbers of BAME – black, Asian and minority ethnic people – among football coaches and the media to “improve public perception of BAME players”.
Jewish leaders are increasingly angry that “Yid” has not been outlawed from football, with comedian and Spurs fan David Baddiel, of Football's Coming Home fame, among those campaigning against its use.
Action Against Discrimination had been invited to be involved in the Government working group and chairman Jonathan Metliss said: “We’ve had a meeting with them, we’re excited to be asked to join them and hope we can make a difference.
“If you look up the word Yid then it is a term which denotes abuse since the 14th century. It’s an abusive term for a Jew which has been adopted and glorified by Spurs fans despite Jewish people finding it deeply offensive.”
