Return Of The Headcam Stewards!

[roosh]

Fair enough, they want to stamp out racism and homophobia in the game, but i fail to see what FA lunacy this is addressing? This is now twice in as many weeks that the club have warned its own fans about singing a song that is no more offensive or harmful than 99% of chants, songs, noises and gestures made by... well, fans of practically every other club in the world.

I always thought it was because they were young and dumb that the Woolwich fans claim we want to be like them, that we're trying our best to copy them - apparently it's not even on the pitch, it's in the stands. At this rate, we'll be as dull, lifeless and quiet as the library inside a couple of seasons. What with the threats of banishment, ranks of robocops and banning of specific songs, The Lane is rapidly turning into a bit of a mini police state.

I'd agree that it is a bit much banning these songs, but there is an opportunity in it for fans to develop more songs that are supportive of our team.

 

[NickHSpurs]

No doubt the songs will be hummed then, just as amusing :lol:

 

[theShiznit]

I personally have never sung either song (although told Wenger to sit down many times...)

and would not give a toss if i never heard either again, but it's a sliding scale, if they are successful in this then how long before the head cams are ousting people for the yid chants? and then maybe swearing will be deemed unacceptable in the polite society we live in...

 

[MisspeltYoof]

Chelsea regularly eject and ban fans for racist chanting/hissing at Spurs games. They will also the showing the Y-word on the big screens before our forthcoming game there. West Ham and Arsenal often put out messages similar to this to their fans in the build up to games against Spurs.

We're not being victimised.

For what it's worth, I thought the Adebayor chant was hugely reduced last week following the reminder. Surely this is a good thing?

 

[Rocksuperstar]

I personally have never sung either song (although told Wenger to sit down many times...)

and would not give a toss if i never heard either again, but it's a sliding scale, if they are successful in this then how long before the head cams are ousting people for the yid chants? and then maybe swearing will be deemed unacceptable in the polite society we live in...

Careful with the well thought out concern there, Mr Znit.

I can't be arsed to explain, for the 5th or 6th time, my concerns as the responses are apparently unable to comprehend that their definition of racism is blunted somewhat by the media definition.

Just to address one point though, if you want to find a place where "Paki" is not considered a racist term, how about try an international cricket match, involving a particular Asian team, or maybe even go to Pakistan and try it out. The only reason it's perceived by so many to be a blanket racist term is because of it's application in the UK by a bigoted minority in the past.

Much like the word Yid, i suppose...

 

[Rocksuperstar]

Chelsea regularly eject and ban fans for racist chanting/hissing at Spurs games. They will also the showing the Y-word on the big screens before our forthcoming game there. West Ham and Arsenal often put out messages similar to this to their fans in the build up to games against Spurs.

We're not being victimised.

For what it's worth, I thought the Adebayor chant was hugely reduced last week following the reminder. Surely this is a good thing?

I'd like to see some confirmation of Chelsea kicking fans out or banning, that would brighten my outlook considerably, but it would also increase my concern of the fact that, when our fans were accused of racist behaviour, regardless of age or any actual proof, they had their pictures plastered across the national press, already labelled racist scum yet i don't recall anything similar happening regarding blues fans.

Equally, don't know how many of you remember, most of our fans accused were found to be innocent, or acquitted or whatever, but there was no confirmation of the mistake or apology for the public humiliation. Does that also not seem a little lopsided?

 

[Caboose]

The thing is - and I haven't read through all the replies so excuse me if this has been said - I can understand the club's stance on the Adebayour chant, with Adebayour being African and the lyrics of the song there is a strong undercurrent of racism about it and therefore hate and discrimination.

With the Wenger song, he's obviously not a paedo (if he turns out to be one the police can pay all Spurs fans a finder fee and thank us for pointing it out) and therefore the song is sung in banter and jest.. it's humour not hate. So I can't see why this is band. He may find it hurful that we sing about him, but some of the stick I get down the local with my friends isn't nice but I understand the situation and it being banter so don't take offense.

Very disappointed in Tottenham Hotspur for doing this. Kick racism out of football, not banter!

 

[rich75]

Careful with the well thought out concern there, Mr Znit.

I can't be arsed to explain, for the 5th or 6th time, my concerns as the responses are apparently unable to comprehend that their definition of racism is blunted somewhat by the media definition.

Just to address one point though, if you want to find a place where "Paki" is not considered a racist term, how about try an international cricket match, involving a particular Asian team, or maybe even go to Pakistan and try it out. The only reason it's perceived by so many to be a blanket racist term is because of it's application in the UK by a bigoted minority in the past.

Much like the word Yid, i suppose...

You're seriously saying if I stand up at Lords against Pakistan and start shouting "Pakis are shit" I won't get any trouble for it at all?

I'm sorry I didn't realise when you said "the circles I move in" you actually meant Pakistan

 

[chrissivad]

With the Wenger song, he's obviously not a paedo (if he turns out to be one the police can pay all Spurs fans a finder fee and thank us for pointing it out) and therefore the song is sung in banter and jest.. it's humour not hate. So I can't see why this is band. He may find it hurful that we sing about him, but some of the stick I get down the local with my friends isn't nice but I understand the situation and it being banter so don't take offense.

dont agree, and see too many people using the "its just banter" when its claimed to be abusive.

Supple term used to describe activities or chat that is playful, intelligent and original

Conversation that is witty and at the same time abusive.

 

[rich75]

The thing is - and I haven't read through all the replies so excuse me if this has been said - I can understand the club's stance on the Adebayour chant, with Adebayour being African and the lyrics of the song there is a strong undercurrent of racism about it and therefore hate and discrimination.

With the Wenger song, he's obviously not a paedo (if he turns out to be one the police can pay all Spurs fans a finder fee and thank us for pointing it out) and therefore the song is sung in banter and jest.. it's humour not hate. So I can't see why this is band. He may find it hurful that we sing about him, but some of the stick I get down the local with my friends isn't nice but I understand the situation and it being banter so don't take offense.

Very disappointed in Tottenham Hotspur for doing this. Kick racism out of football, not banter!

So you're saying everyone shouting Peado at Wenger is doing so with a big lovely smile on their face? I'll keep an eye out for that in future cos I'm sure the last time I saw it, plenty looked like they were one step away from ripping his head off

 

[MisspeltYoof]

I'd like to see some confirmation of Chelsea kicking fans out or banning, that would brighten my outlook considerably

With pleasure...

I believe your comments about Chelsea's position on antisemitism are factually incorrect and unfair (Chelsea fans question club's stance over antisemitism, 9 September).

As your reporter was informed, our club has a strong written policy against discrimination, including antisemitism. Our policy is promoted at the highest levels of our organisation and is included in the training for all match-day personnel.

Of course, having a policy is not enough. Actions speak louder than words. We regularly ban 15 to 20 people each season for violations of our anti-discrimination policy. Two months ago, a Chelsea supporter was charged and found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence for using the antisemitic term that you claim we ignore.

We have frequently had campaigns in match-day magazines to inform fans of our policy and resultant punishment. We are about to launch a new programme entitled Building Bridges: Help us tackle discrimination at Stamford Bridge.

Your reporter describes two alleged incidents, one of which took place at the DW Stadium in Wigan and the other at Wembley Stadium. He fails to recognise that at both of those venues we have no control over the stewarding, the CCTV cameras, the police or who is and is not permitted to enter the stadium.

In each of these two incidents, we received a complaint from one individual (not a "group", as alleged by your reporter). Because these incidents were reported after the fact, it became very difficult to investigate. In one case, the person involved vehemently denied the allegations and there were no corroborating witnesses; in the other situation, the identity of the alleged offender could not be obtained.
Rest assured that, when we can, we will take the strongest possible action against anyone found using any kind of discriminatory chant or taunt. To suggest otherwise is unfair and does our club, and the overwhelming majority of our fans, a huge disservice.

Bruce M Buck
Chairman, Chelsea Football Club

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/23/chelsea-football-antisemitism-racial-discrimination

 

[nicdic]

Can we just sing "sit down you adulterer" instead? I mean that one is factually correct.

 

[Caboose]

Chris/Rich - It's in jest to me, because I do say it in humour. Maybe there are people who sing it and sing it with hate/passion. I only go to WHL about once a year, and don't really sing other than When the Spurs or Come on you Spurs type songs. I wouldn't ever sing the Campbell or Adebayour songs, I see them as offensive and hateful, the Campbell song I find disgusting and am appalled is sung so venemously - especially when as proved all the fans have to do is boo and his game goes to pot.

But the Wenger so, it's cheeky and silly... he's known as the professor and is famed for his youth policy and rearing youngsters.. it's such a tongue in cheek song I don't see how it is interpreted otherwise. Do I sing it? No. Would I sing it at the ground? No. If I did sing it, do I think I was being offensive. No. Do I find it funny.. very much so.

 

[theShiznit]

The thing is - and I haven't read through all the replies so excuse me if this has been said - I can understand the club's stance on the Adebayour chant, with Adebayour being African and the lyrics of the song there is a strong undercurrent of racism about it and therefore hate and discrimination.

With the Wenger song, he's obviously not a paedo (if he turns out to be one the police can pay all Spurs fans a finder fee and thank us for pointing it out) and therefore the song is sung in banter and jest.. it's humour not hate. So I can't see why this is band. He may find it hurful that we sing about him, but some of the stick I get down the local with my friends isn't nice but I understand the situation and it being banter so don't take offense.

Very disappointed in Tottenham Hotspur for doing this. Kick racism out of football, not banter!

You site the Wenger song as Banter as "he's obviously not a paedo" (but give props to us if he is)

but state there is a strong undercurrent of racism in the Adebayor song...

Is his father an Elephant washer? NO.
Is his mother a whore (maybe but not as far as i know)
are these two trades limited to or mainly made up of Africans? NO

The problem i have with the Adebayor song is that it is rubbish, unfunny, and has (probably) been jumped on by some who are mindless hill billys, the Wenger song has a bit more craft and wit to it, but that shouldn't be a reason for allowing (or ending) it.

With pleasure...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/23/chelsea-football-antisemitism-racial-discrimination[/quote]

it's a poor show that the best the chairman can point out is 1 fan being banned for an "anti-Semitic term" (obviously hissing is not a term so cannot stop that...) in an article purported to be about anti-Semitic chanting

 

[rich75]

it's a poor show that the best the chairman can point out is 1 fan being banned for an "anti-Semitic term" (obviously hissing is not a term so cannot stop that...) in an article purported to be about anti-Semitic chanting

you can actually, it's covered under offensive sounds in the football offences act :

3 Indecent or racialist chanting.

(1)It is an offence to [F1engage or take part in chanting of an indecent or racialist nature at a designated football match].

(2)For this purpose—

(a)“chanting” means the repeated uttering of any words or sounds [F2(whether alone or in concert with one more others)]; and

(b)“of a racialist nature” means consisting of or including matter which is threatening, abusive or insulting to a person by reason of his colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins.

 

[MattyP]

Perhaps we should all just "do the Poznan" whenever we want to chant something mildly offensive, take the fucking headcam stewards out of the equation.

 

[ladi100]

The entire point about banning songs as far as i can tell is to stop any form of discrimination.

How is calling Arsene Wenger discriminatory?

 

[whl_yid1982]

Just heard a big chorus of this chant. Sounded like a fairly large section of the fans aswell

 

[theShiznit]

that's a different chant (we're talking about the one with sweets not seets :wink: )

 

[MrWoolley]

Heard the chant quite loud and clear on TV :lol: