London
– Supporters of the Chelsea soccer team were caught singing antisemitic songs
during a game held five days after the British club launched
a campaign to stamp out antisemitism among its fans.
After the match against fellow
Premier League squad Watford on Monday night, an unnamed Chelsea fan told
England’s Jewish News that he was hit with a “torrent” of antisemitic
abuse and moved out of his seat for his safety.
Jonathan Metliss, who heads the group Action Against
Discrimination, which is aimed at combating racism among European soccer fans,
also was at the game and told the Jewish News that he took photos of the
alleged perpetrators for investigators. Metliss said he was “disgusted” by the
fans’ behavior.
Chelsea announced last
month that it would partner with the Anne Frank House, London’s Jewish Museum
and other organizations to provide workshops on the Jewish culture in primary
schools. It will also launch an education program for fans who have been banned
from games for perpetuating antisemitism.
Team owner
Roman Abramovich is himself Jewish.
