Become a Member
Sport

Football documentary will put serious issue on the map

December 16, 2010 14:48

By

Danny Caro,

Danny Caro

2 min read

Ivor Baddiel's short film highlighting antisemitism in football launches early next year, and for the people in the community who care passionately about the issue, it cannot come soon enough.

The Y-Word deals with a topic close to the bone among all Jewish supporters, as well as many Sunday morning footballers who have suffered verbal provocation against non-Jewish opposition.

Earlier this week I attended a Kick It Out reception where Jonathan Metliss, a long-time campaigner, told me about yet more hissing noises, mimicking Nazi gas chambers, coming from the Chelsea end at last weekend's derby against Spurs at White Hart Lane.

While the time, effort and resources that campaigns such as Kick It Out put towards issues such as colour, ability and xenophobia, the topic of antisemitism continues to be brushed under the carpet, falling into the same category as the other isms. I believe that our community needs a figurehead in the shape of Avram Grant, Yossi Benayoun, Tal Ben Haim or Ronnie Rosenthal to give it some oomph.

To get more from Life, click here to sign up for our free Life newsletter.