Three men have been charged by police with using the term "Yid" at Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the trio - who are all Spurs fans - would appear in court next month.

Gary Whybrow, 31, of Ealing; Sam Parsons, 24, of Amersham, Buckinghamshire; and Peter Ditchman, 52, of Bishop's Stortford, Essex, will all appear at Hendon Magistrates' Court on February 4.

They are charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour. The alleged offences were racially aggravated.

The charges relate to a match against FC Sheriff in the Europa League last November and a Premier League game with West Ham United in October.

Ditchman is also charged with possessing cocaine when arrested at the West Ham game.

The Football Association issued new guidance last September which suggested that fans using the term could be liable to criminal charges.

That led to widespread debate over the use of the word by Spurs fans and by supporters of opposing teams.

Prime Minister David Cameron had said the Y-word should not be considered offensive if it was used by Tottenham supporters not motivated by hate.

The Community Security Trust had also said it would not back criminal prosecutions for Spurs fans who used the word.