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Police have warned Tottenham Hotspur fans that they face arrest if caught chanting the word 'Yid' at Sunday's match against West Ham United.

The Met said officers will be sent to Sunday's Premier League fixture between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United specifically to target supporters using the term.

In a statement, the force said: "Some words - like the 'Y' word - which historically have been perceived by some as acceptable, cause harassment, alarm or distress to others, and people who use this language could be committing a criminal offence."

Chief Superintendent Mick Johnson, the match commander on Sunday, added: "This topic has been debated at length but our position is clear, racism and offensive language have no place in football or indeed in society.

"Those supporters who engage in such behaviour should be under no illusion that they may be committing an offence and may be liable to a warning or be arrested."

Spurs fans call themselves “Yid army” or “Yiddos” but the Football Association has said the term is “derogatory and offensive”.

The area of North London where Spurs play has a large population of Jewish people, many of whom support the team, but fans of all backgrounds have adopted the term.

Jewish groups say it is always offensive and encourages anti-Semitism.

Last month, David Cameron blundered into the row by saying it is fine for Tottenham Hotspur fans to chant the word “Yid” at matches.