A non-league football club’s director has resigned after being charged by the Football Association for calling Tottenham Hotspur “yids”.
Graham O’Callaghan, commercial manager of eighth-tier side Kendal Town, wrote on Facebook: “yes, Chelsea versus the yids cup final” in response to Spurs reaching the League Cup final.
The FA has charged him with “abusive and/or insulting and/or improper” language, which includes “a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief.”
Mr O’Callaghan has until February 25 to respond. The Chelsea fan denied his remark was racist, adding that he decided to quit so the club would be spared from any negative ramifications.
He wrote on Facebook: “It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I announce my resignation from the management committee at my beloved Kendal Town FC.
“I will deny that the comment was racist and it was taken totally wrongly by someone and for that I will apologise unreservedly.
“Unfortunately I have taken this measure to try and reduce the impact it [might] have on a truly brilliant football club.”
Speaking to BBC Cumbria, Mr O’Callaghan said: "As far as I'm concerned it's a bit of banter, it's what Chelsea fans have always referred to Tottenham as.
“To the best of my knowledge it is not antisemitic in any way. I've actually visited Auschwitz on more than one occasion and was very moved by what I saw. I would recommend other people to visit."
Kendal Town confirmed the resignation, saying in a statement: “Graham has given much time and energy in support of our club and has decided to make the sacrifice of his official position by stepping down to prevent any accidental links or embarrassment that may be caused.”
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