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A discussion over the term "Yid Army" in referance to the Arsenal v Spurs rivalry.

  • Over on the Arsenal forum there is a debate regarding the use of the term "Yid Army". Now as I am sure most know on here, the term is not seen as racist by Spurs fans or when used by opposing fans in chants about them. Mostly used by West Ham, Chelsea and Arsenal. It has come up repeatedly on these boards and when people have used it both myself and The Double have agreed it's acceptable to use and does not have racist implications. However the American Arsenal support (and no doubt the American Spurs support) is getting bigger. For Americans this is something that comes over as unacceptable sometimes and I find myself having to explain it all the time. I think it may be useful for there to be a discussion about it so that all fans know that it is not meant as a racist insult.

    The thread is here and it would be good to have people's views:

    http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419814


  • Are you a Jew?

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  • Speaking as a Jew, I have no problem with fans of a team identifying with Jews and waving Israeli flags or whatever. I do have a problem if it becomes mockery, like the old "Chief Nokahoma" character of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

    I very much have a problem when the opponents of "Jewish" sports teams like Ajax react with antisemitic taunts, whether or not they really have anything against Jews.

    In the U.S., the most popular (and the most hated) college football team is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- that's their official name. Their mascot is a leprechaun. But as much as Notre Dame is detested by opposing fans, they don't resort to racism... I've never seen USC or Michigan fans make jokes about potatoes or drunkenness when facing the "Irish."


  • I don't think it has anything to do with the rivalry, as Spurs fans refer to themselves as Yids, their players as Yiddos (past and present, excluding Sol Campbell) - they wear it like a badge.

    I was at the game last night and every time a Spurs player goes to take a corner, he is greeted with a hail of 'Yiddo, Yiddo...' - it's not derogatory at all, more a salutation.

    But PC has gone mad in this country - the kids in schools aren't allowed to touch each other in games in the playground, winning isn't allowed at the school sports day anymore, you can't say nitty-gritty or **********rdly (see I told you so!), zoos are emptying, you can't climb a ladder without training, or a risk assessment.........

    Won't be long before cheering is banned at all sports events, because it's unfair to the away supporters...........:rolleyes:


  • I personally don't have a problem when someone refers to Tottemham fans as "yids". I never use it and never will simply because I prefer to call Tottenham fans exactly what they are................ Tottenham, fans.

    However, the term clearly has a racially motivated background to it, and I find it quite surprising that Jews do not have a problem with it. Most other ethnic minorities certainly do have a problem when they find their race generalised using a slang term, some of which have been mentioned on here. The setiment is essentially the same, but possibly without the malicious intent in which they were invented. Certainly I feel uncomfortable when most ethnic minorities are generalised in slang terms, but the term "yid" is now used in the same way that Liverpool supporters are called "scousers" and Man Utd supporters "mancs". I think because the term is generally related to football support, alot of people turn a blind eye to it. Maybe this is best, I don't know.


    I don't get offended by it, but I cannot imagine myself using it any time in the future...........


  • The US as a whole is way too touchy about words with so-say racist overtones, so it is good to hear Americans here not getting uptight about the harmless yid factor in football.


  • The US as a whole is way too touchy about words with so-say racist overtones, so it is good to hear Americans here not getting uptight about the harmless yid factor in football.especially with the yid army now being the brownshirts on their travels.


  • Posted on your board:

    ...I'm not a Jewish Spurs fan, but regularily use the term Yid, or Yiddo. And much of that obviously has come from just supporting the team, going to the games and learning the chants. But there was a reason behind the Tottenham fans taking that on....and that was from purely racist chanting from opposition supporters, just like the 80's when people would chuck bananas, or imitate monkey sounds for black players it was steeped in racism, and general intolerance. Tottenham supporters turned it on his head and used it as a bit of pride for who we are. simple as that. what ever race, creed or colour, if you are Tottenham you are a Yid. Funny cause there have been a fair few Spurs fans who imo have been genuinely racist, who would happy use the term 'paki' or chinky or whatever.

    Now days I agree in terms of football the term Yiddo defines Spurs fans. But I will argue all day that in the past it was purely used to incite the Tottenham fans, and was used as a racist term.

    YID ARMY!!!!YID ARMY!!!!YID ARMY


  • I am a Spurs supporter from New York City... i also happen to be Jewish. I love the fact that the word Yid has become a term of slang for the team... however like someone said before, when its used like "gas the yids" i clearly have a problem with that... Anyone who has heard the tales like this from their grandparents would have a problem with it too.

    COYS!!!


  • ...I was inciteing the Yids :o


  • Doesn't bother me...And I'm an American...


  • I'm a Jewish American Spurs fan, and the term doesn't bother me at all. And the term "yid" used to describe me outside of the realm of soccer doesn't bother me either, to be honest. I use it all the time to describe myself and my friends and family. There are a lot more offensive terms to use to describe a Jewish person than "yid".


  • Interesting topic, but unless there's a trophy awarded to the writer of the most convincing argument, why is it in this forum?


  • We have to change because some American who jumped on the Wenger bandwagon (as most American football fans have) says so?

    ******** no. I don't care if Gooners call us Spurs fans "Yids", even though I'm not Jewish.


  • I'm not Jewish but I don't like the term 'yid'. I'm not offended by it, but I don't use it and don't like it. Personal choice and all that.


  • especially with the yid army now being the brownshirts on their travels.

    :D

    In all serious, chocolate works far more as a fashion shirt than it does on the football field.


  • It depends entirely what context it's used in.

    If you say "We're playing the Yids next week" it isn't offensive or racist. If you chant "Gas the Yids" then it is plainly very offensive and racist.

    As a Spurs fan I use it freely and see no issue with that. We have reclaimed the word and made an insult into a badge of loyalty.


  • Doesn't bother me...And I'm an American...

    Are you a Jew?


  • Just look to Ajax and Feyenoord (Ajax being the so-called Jewish club) as an example. The words are anti-semitic but the sentiments rarely are. It does seem absurd to some of us here and now, but certainly not everyone lives by America's politically correct standards. I get the feeling that Londoners may be closer, though, than the fans in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.


  • Yes I saw it, thanks for posting. Im note you didn't put your last sentance in there which would of been helpful!!!!:p







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    March 10th, 2010, posted by jack

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