JNS: EJC calls for strict action against anti-Semitic soccer fans

In response to fans at soccer games engaging in antisemitic activity, such as singing an offensive song about Jews, the European Jewish Congress called on Thursday for professional leagues to take stricter action.

Supporters of the Belgian team Club Brugge were recorded singing a song about Jews “burning.” The supporters sang, “My father was part of a commando, my mother was in the SS, together they burned Jews because Jews burn the best.”

EJC president Moshe Kantor said “it is extremely disturbing that in the 21st century, Europeans sing proudly about murdering Jews and glorifying the Nazis. Unfortunately, antisemitism in football is getting worse, and these hooligans believe they can get away with whatever they like when they go to a football match.”

“We call on all the football authorities—from FIFA, UEFA and the national football federations around the world—to take stricter measures against this antisemitic abuse and use harsher punishments,” he stressed.

This development comes shortly after fans of British soccer team Chelsea were slammed by the club for antisemitic chants at a Europa League game in Budapest.

Additionally, police detained three Chelsea supporters amid reports of antisemitic chanting on a train after Sunday’s Premier League match between Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

“While all racism and prejudice should be stamped out in football and sport, antisemitic chants seem to have a particularly violent and even genocidal nature to them, and so should be taken extremely seriously,” said Kantor. “When people chant about gassing and burning Jews, they should be charged under incitement to violence charges, and no longer detained for a short while or merely banned from attending matches.”

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Statements

European Jewish Congress calls on EU and UN leaders to cease its one-sided Israel bashing that has direct consequences for Jews in Europe

“The constant flow of Israel-bashing by senior leaders in the EU and the UN with little to no criticism of Hamas terror is clearly the main contributory factor to huge growth in antisemitism recorded by all European Jewish communities since October 7 last year,” said EJC President Dr Ariel Muzicant.