The build up to Sunday's game between Tottenham and West Ham was overshadowed somewhat by concerns about offensive chants of an anti-semitic nature.
Oftentimes in London derbies involving Spurs, Tottenham fans have been targeted with the word 'Yid' - a reference to perceptions that the club has a large Jewish fanbase.
To complicate matters, some Tottenham fans also use the word to refer to themselves. However, earlier this season the FA banned the word, describing it as "derogatory and offensive", thereby putting it in the same category as other racial slurs.
Police warned supporters of both teams that they faced arrest if they were caught uttering the term.
Yet a large number of Tottenham fans used it, chanting slogans such as 'Yid Army' and 'We'll sing what we want'. And British Prime Minister David Cameron has previously claimed that Tottenham supporters should have the right to use the word as long as it is not "hateful".
Police confirmed that a 51-year-old man was arrested at the game for offences related to the chanting of slogans.
To talk about the issue in depth, Off The Ball spoke to Martin Lipton, Chief Football writer of The Daily Mirror.
"It's a very complicated one. It sort of goes back to the reclamation of the 'N word' by American blacks. I think certain Tottenham fans - many of whom aren't Jewish - feel that this is a similar sort of thing by reclaiming a word that is used as a negative and turn it into a badge of honour," explains Lipton.
"Personally, I don't accept that. There is no doubt that there are an awful lot of Jewish Tottenham supporters. My father is one of them and but for an accident of birth and my mother not being a Jew, I would be one as well because that is the lineage of the religion. I personally find the word offensive but I've got many Jewish friends who find it acceptable."
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy
The word 'Yid' itself derives from the word 'Yiddish' which is a Germanic language of Hebrew origin. It is offensive, in a football context especially when used by supporters of rival clubs but in contrast is seen as a "badge of honour" by Tottenham fans. But Lipton believes it should be outlawed:
"You could argue that the point that David Cameron raised in relation to the meaning or the intent is a legitimate one. Personally, I think using the word in any context allows those whose context is far, far nastier and of a race-hate baiting mentality to continue to do it. Whilst I understand the other position, I think the police are right. In any case, non-Jewish Tottenham fans have no right to argue about this. Jewish Tottenham fans have."
Lipton says the fact that anti-semitism still exists in the UK and elsewhere means there should be a clampdown.
"Unfortunately anti-semitism still exists. We can't pretend it doesn't. It may not be overt but it still exists. My family have grown up with it. It still gets thrown in my direction occasionally. I find it a vile and pernicious thing. Tottenham fans think it's a way of beating back racism. I think it encourages it," says Lipton.
But Lipton does not see the issue ending pretty soon and also points out that Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea fans, owners and board members are Jewish including David Dein, Daniel Levy and Roman Abramovich. Indeed many Blues fans are offended by chants by elements of their own fanbase.
Lipton also says he has seen evidence of anti-semitism since the Tottenham v West Ham game with references to gas chambers and trains.
