The Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was angered by the “unacceptable” antisemitic banner displayed by Partizan Belgrade supporters in their Europa League opener.

A much-changed Spurs side got their Group C campaign off to a solid start by securing a hard-fought, 0-0 draw in an intimidating atmosphere in the Serbian capital. However, the performance was overshadowed by an antisemitic banner in the home end, inspired by the Only Fools and Horses logo. The name was changed to “Only Jews and Pussies” and was displayed at Partizan Stadium throughout the match.

Uefa is investigating the issue after it was pointed out to them by Tottenham’s officials. A delegate from the governing body took photographic

evidence after the match.

“I didn’t see it,” Pochettino said. “The club is aware but I did not see [it myself]. But if this is true, then it is an unacceptable thing. It is very disrespectful. This is a shame, very disrespectful and unacceptable.”

It is not the first time Partizan have found themselves in hot water, having been thrown out of the Uefa Cup and fined in 2007 for rioting during a first qualifying round first-leg clash at Zrinjski Mostar.

They could have their stadium at least part-closed by Uefa if found guilty of misconduct over the banner. The incident came just two years after the racial abuse suffered by England Under-21s in a European Championship play-off in Serbia. The Spurs left-back Danny Rose was caught up in the problems that night and was among those rested for the Partizan match.

Partizan’s coach, Marko Nikolic, was clearly unaware of the issue surrounding the antisemitic banner when he thanked the crowd for their behaviour. “I want to congratulate the crowd,” Nikolic said. “The support was great and not only great but everything went well. It was a wonderful, sporting environment without the slightest problem.”

Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham’s draw with Partizan Belgrade was a fair result Guardian

Pochettino brought in Benjamin Stambouli and Federico Fazio and they impressed on their full debuts.

“I am happy with the performance [of Fazio],” Pochettino said. “It was his first game, like Stambouli.

“They played first time with us and it is always difficult to make your debut, but I am happy.

“I think the result was fair because I think that Partizan in the second half played well and we did well in the first half. In the end, it is a fair result.”

A dead leg sustained by Andros Townsend was the only on-field issue Spurs had in Serbia, meaning they return to Premier League action against West Brom on Sunday fresh from a solid start to Group C.

“We had a lot of positive things,” Pochettino added. “It is true before the game we wanted three points, but when you analyse the game the result is fair. We need to take a lot of positive things and move forward.”