Tottenham ambassador Gary Mabbutt believes fans’ chants of ‘Yiddos’ provides a “difficult” set of questions that will take the relevant bodies a long time to answer.
Spurs have a historic Jewish connection and have defended their supporters, saying they have taken ownership of the phrase to stop it being used as an insult by opposing fans.
However, the Society of Black Lawyers insist that argument is not acceptable and will hold talks with the Metropolitan Police before pressing ahead with a complaint.
The phrase was heard last night at Wembley, where former Spurs defender Mabbutt was present at Absolute Radio’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Football Lads’ Night In, an event raising money for the Prince’s Trust.
Asked about the use of ‘Yiddos’, Mabbutt – an ambassador for both the charity and Spurs – told Press Association Sport: “It is difficult. I think if it is causing offence to people then it has to be looked at.
“I played at the club for 16 years, I’ve been involved with the club now for the last 30 years and that has always been something that has been shouted by the supporters.
“An issue is being made of it now but what the outcome of that is going to be, I don’t know.
“The club accept nothing racist whatsoever and the last thing the club want is to be seen to be promoting anything that is going to be seen as being that.
“But, as I say, this is something that has come out of the blue. I don’t think anyone has thought that much about it.
“We certainly haven’t heard the last of it and I think it could be ongoing for a while before something is finally sorted out.
“But as far as the fans are concerned, it has never been anything that can be used as racially aggressive.”
On the field, Tottenham are in the midst of a poor run of form that has seen them lose five of their previous six domestic matches.
Attention turns to the Europa League tomorrow and a tough trip to Lazio, where Andre Villas-Boas will be looking for a return to winning ways after defeat in the north London derby.
The 5-2 loss at Arsenal has seen pressure intensify on the Tottenham manager, but Mabbutt believes fans should support him.
“We want to be in the top four every season,” he said. “That is our ambition. In the last three years we were fourth, fifth and then fourth again, and last year we obviously missed out because of Chelsea’s result in the final.
“We have to be a top-four team every year if we want to compete with the best. The club is very ambitious, we believe that AVB is very ambitious.
“He has got a reputation to rebuild after what happened at Chelsea and I just think the coming together of two very ambitious parties is a good marriage.
“People have spoken about AVB but he has got to be given time. I have got huge respect for his mentors in Sir Bobby Robson and Jose Mourinho and if they can see the potential in him then I think you’ve got to give him the season and then make judgments then.”
