• Premier League

Villas-Boas welcomes PM's 'Y-word' intervention

David Cameron has backed Spurs supporters over their use of the 'Y-word' © Getty Images

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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has welcomed the intervention of British Prime Minister David Cameron in the on-going debate of the use of what are perceived to be anti-Semitic chants by the club's supporters.

Spurs fans have long celebrated the Jewish links to the club's heritage by branding themselves as the 'Yid Army', but the Football Association have vowed to clamp down on the chants in a bid to stamp them out of the game.

Cameron's suggestion that Spurs fans were not using the offending word in a malicious way has widened the debate, with Villas-Boas backing the opinions of the most senior politician in the country on the sensitive issue.

"The Prime Minister's intervention is probably what Spurs fans want to hear," said Villas-Boas. "He was straight forward with what he came out with, it was clear.

"There is a sensible discussion going on. The FA have had their statement, we as a club have shown our position over the use of the word and I have expressed by opinion also. Hopefully it doesn't grow into something that cannot be controlled.

"Our fans sing it with pride, it is something they defend. they defend it. This is not meant to take offence. It is being approached by the authorities with care and the comments of David Cameron gave Spurs fans some satisfaction.

"From my understanding, which is probably not with enough knowledge as it should be, Spurs do not use this word in a negative way. They use it with passion and purpose. My opinion is whilst there is no offence meant, I see no problem with it. The problem is finding out what is seen as an offence. It is very hard for the FA to distinguish what is offensive."

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