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Arsenal investigates antisemitism during North London derby with Tottenham

The Islington club said anyone found to have used antisemitic language 'will receive a lengthy club ban and their details will be passed to the police'

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Arsenal FC has said it is investigating allegations of antisemitic behaviour by its fans when it played Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

A bottle thrown from the Arsenal home section also hit Tottenham’s Dele Alli during a tense Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium, which Spurs won 2-0.

Arsenal has said it is looking into alleged offensive chants and gestures – including antisemitic language – by home fans.

It said in a statement: “We are aware and are currently investigating. We do not tolerate any anti-social, discriminatory or violent behaviour at Arsenal Football Club.

“Anyone identified will receive a lengthy club ban and their details will be passed to the police to commence legal proceedings.”

Tottenham, long-standing local rivals of Arsenal, has a large Jewish fanbase.

Spurs players and fans have been the target of antisemitic chants on a number of occasions in recent years.

Complaints were lodged with European football’s governing body, Uefa, after Chelsea supporters were reportedly heard using an antisemitic term in chants during the match against Hungarian side Vidi in the Europa League.

It was later revealed that Chelsea fans were seen carrying a flag featuring the image of the so-called “SS death skull” prior to the match in Budapest on December 13.

Tottenham fan Averof Panteli, 57, was fined £500 and banned from attending football matches for four years after admitting to throwing a banana at Gabonese Arsenal player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during a previous match at the Emirates Stadium.

He denied a racial element to his action.

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