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Plan for European Super League triggers wave of antisemitic abuse
Outpouring of hate on Twitter targets Roman Abramovich, the Glazer family and Daniel Levy
April 20, 2021 11:30
Outpouring of hate on Twitter targets Roman Abramovich, the Glazer family and Daniel Levy
April 20, 2021 11:30The announcement of a proposed football European Super League has prompted an outpouring of antisemitic hate abuse on social media, in which Jews are blamed for “ruining football”.
At the same time, Tottenham Hotspur chair Daniel Levy has been targeted with racial abuse after his club lost to Manchester United — and the club has reported the attack to the police and Twitter.
After the news broke that there were plans in place to launch a European Super League — with six of Britain’s top clubs poised to take part — there was furious criticism from many quarters, including the government, expressing concern over what would happen to the domestic game.
But some commenters on Twitter took things further. In several posts, the writers blamed Jews for the situation. One user wrote: “Notably, most of the owners of these ‘big' football clubs pushing for a Super League are Jews, including Roman Abramovic [sic] and the Glazers…..Jews are ruining football, they don’t give a f**** about the Gentile fans..”
Roman Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea FC, one of the clubs due to take part in the new league, while the Glazers are the American family who owns Manchester United. Joel Glazer is said to be the vice-chairman of the new Super League. Tottenham Hotspur, chaired by Daniel Levy, is also one of the founding clubs.
Another Twitter user wrote: “All this talk of the European Super League. It’s jew rats behind it. All money grabbing c***s. It’s no wonder that people hate them as much as the muslims.” This post was illustrated with a vicious and common antisemitic cartoon.
In another post, a user wrote: “Them 3 fat AMERICAN C***S YOU F***ING BASTARDS. And as for that Jew levy your family should have been gassed”. Someone else declared: “Hey Zionists it’s not all about money you suckers“.
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “The beautiful game has some very hideous fans, and they are out in force on social media objecting in the most grotesque fashion to the possible launch of a new European Super League. No controversy, however great the passions it may stir, can justify the horrendous antisemitic abuse meted out by some Twitter users towards football clubs and their owners.
“The Premier League, the clubs and social media networks have a responsibility to remove this material immediately and punish the offenders with bans from attending matches. This minority of perpetrators bring shame to the majority of fans who want to see racism expelled from football."
Meanwhile, in response to separate online attacks on Spurs chair Daniel Levy, another action group, Action Against Discrimination, (AAD) has complained. Its chair, Jonathan Metliss, said: “This is deplorable behaviour and reinforces our campaign to eradicate antisemitism in football, whether at the ground, in grassroots football or on social media”.