FA to look at West Ham anti-semitic chants aimed at Spurs

The FA say it is “highly likely”will launch an investigation into the vile chanting by some West Ham fans at Tottenham yesterday.

It is alleged a section of the away support made anti-Semitic taunts and chanted about the stabbing of Spurs fans in Rome last week. The allegations overshadow Tottenham’s 3-1 win on Sunday.

An FA spokesman said reports from match officials and delegates will be assessed before deciding on any action.

West Ham fans appeared to mock Tottenham supporters with songs and chants about the stabbings of the Tottenham fans in Rome last week.

Tottenham who traditionally who have strong ties with London’s Jewish community were also subject to Anti-Semitic taunts, along with persistent hissing and references to Adolf Hitler.

Hundreds of West Ham supporters chanted ‘Viva Lazio’ at numerous points during the game in a macabre show of support for the hooligans who left at least 10 Spurs fans injured and one needing emergency surgery.

Italian flags were seen in the away section on Sunday and a red flare was also set off. After Tottenham had scored their second and third goals, ‘Lazio’ was chanted, bringing ironic cheers from the home crowd.

The most distasteful chants were saved for towards the end. In reply to Spurs fans chanting, ‘Can we play you every week?’ West Ham fans sang: ‘Can we stab you every week?’

Ashley Mills, 25, of Essex, had to be admitted to hospital for stab wounds to his head and groin after being set upon by a gang of masked thugs while in Rome for Tottenham’s Europa League match against Lazio. Two men have since been charged with attempted murder.

FA officials this morning confirmed that they are waiting to digest the referee’s report before launching a full probe – although off-the-field incidents typically take longer to investigate than those on the pitch.

High-level discussions are also taking place between the West Ham hierarchy over what action the club will take.

After Tottenham ended a three-game Premier League losing streak, both managers were cautious about reacting to reports of the chanting.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: “I didn’t hear it. I don’t hear what the fans say or do when I’m concentrating as a manager on a game of football.

“They shouldn’t be doing things like that, it is the least of my worries at the minute isn’t it?

“I will wait and look at it myself and make a comment once I have listened to what they have said.”

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said he did not want the issue to detract attention from what was Tottenham’s best home performance of the season.

“I prefer not to mar the performance with a situation like this,” the Spurs manager said.

“You know the animosity there is between Tottenham and West Ham and as long as it doesn’t reach stupidity it is a great, great rivalry of two London clubs.”