We received an email today from Steve Cohen of World Soccer Weekly / Fox Football Friday. He relayed an email he received from an Arsenal supporter in San Diego (not sure if he is an ArseAm member) that was fairly nasty. I’ve grown accustomed to some of the swear words, but racist/ethnic/religious hate words I just don’t accept.
Calling a Jew (or Spurs fan) a [rhymes with lid] isn’t funny, or ‘just playing around.’ Nor is making monkey noises at a black player, or making hissing noises (gas chamber) when playing Ajax or anything else like that.
There are plenty of reasons to yell at a Spurs/Chelsea/ManU/Real Madrid supporter that are football related. You want to trot out a “You won the league in black & white”? Fine. The other stuff will simply not be allowed at Arsenal America. If we see it we will delete it and you will be removed from the membership rolls.
Please let me know if you have any questions or are unclear on this.
Thanks
Ed. Note - See, you can’t even write the word _id on this site. If you feel the need to use that type of language, take it elsewhere.
35 Responses to “Arsenal America Standards & Practices Policy”
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November 29th, 2004 at 12:30 pm
Racist or ethnic comments are just unacceptable. I listen/view regularly to WSW and FFF and I disagree often with the guys…but there is no excuse for racist/ethnic slurs in emails, matches or anywhere else.
EVERY Arsenal home programme contains the following:
FOUL LANGUAGE AND RACIST CHANTING
We will not tolerate foul language and racist chanting at Highbury. Whether Arsenal supportes or visiting fans are responsible, we will take action - through the courts if necessary - to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour. Where evidence exists (including video evidence), prosecutions will follow.
I suggest that TRUE Arsenal supporters follow the policy of AFC.
Thanks.
November 29th, 2004 at 12:43 pm
Totally agree.
Curious…did Cohen contact you because the abuser may have been an ArseAmer and he was just trying to cover his bases? He would have the address of the person if he was emailed, yes?
On another note, there are literally HUNDREDS, even DOZENS of ways to ridicule Mr. Cohen without having to resort to this type of hateful speech. Simply because he is a fan of a team that has single-handedly ruined the transfer market and is currently buying their success is merely one of them. ;^P
Again, zero tolernace is the only policy. Well said, men.
November 29th, 2004 at 12:57 pm
Well said Rick, Tim and Scotty. Infuriating thogh Steven Cohen is, (he should show a little humility on his TV program, particularly since hi$ team hasn’t won anything) there’s no place for the type of speech mentioned by Rick under any circumstances.
November 29th, 2004 at 2:36 pm
Agreed with all that has been said including the zero tolerance policy. However, I’m still confused as to why the Cohen guy sent an email to ArseAm. Did the person who sent the original email to Cohen claim to be associated with ArseAm?
November 29th, 2004 at 2:41 pm
Ok, please read this whole pot through to the end before commenting !!
Firstly, 100% agree, racism and any monkey noises etc are out oif order, for those that have been to Highbury you will know that thankfully we have one of the best crowds for getting rid of racist comments in the country. Our support is truely multi-cultural which is a credit to the club.
Secondly, the issue re Tottenham and the word “*id”. Now this is where many Americans may be shocked and so that is why I am putting it here. Tottenham fans call themselves the “*id Army”. They made up the name, they chant it at matches and they have many songs with the phrase in it. It is a part of their history. Arsenal fans have various historical songs that also have the phrase in. It doesn’t mean there are any Jewish connotations in it, its against the Tottenham fans. Remember, we have a bigger Jewish support than they do!! But it HAS to be in context. Calling a Spurs fan a “*id” is out of order completly. But chanting “*id Army scum” is not seen as racist - simply because the phrase “*id Army” refers to Spurs fans and is what they call themselves. If you look on Spurs message boards you will see this.
The reason I have put this is I know I have been asked many times before by people I have taken to games for the US, and so many Americans may not understand the context in which the word is sometimes used at Highbury.
November 29th, 2004 at 2:43 pm
Steve sent us an email because he recognizes that Arsenal America is the de facto voice of Arsenal fans in this country. While he wasn’t indicting ArseAm, he felt the need to share his anger. I’m glad he did because I wouldn’t want him, or anyone else, to think Arsenal America condones that sort of behaviour.
November 29th, 2004 at 2:57 pm
Point taken, but you’re entering a very grey area here. I think it fair to say there may be some (many?) Jewish Spurs fans who DO take offense to the term, whether being used by other Spurs fans or by rivals. Just because certain African-American rap stars use the word N*gger, that doesn’t mean it’s ok for me to use the word back at them. Best to avoid the situation entirely.
That being said, I really don’t consider myself a hard-core Pollitically Correct person. I think we are too sensitive at times. Don’t like Howard Stern? Don’t listen. But the chanting of derogatory terms at public events or on public forums such as this I find objectionable.
November 29th, 2004 at 3:05 pm
Of course racist language is unacceptable, but what about language offensive to women? It seems to be pretty standard in football - Arseblog, for instance, regularly refers to his enemies as a cu*t, a term of abuse which in other walks of life was outlawed decades ago. I’d be interested to know what other people think about this.
November 29th, 2004 at 3:14 pm
Miranda…. I agree with you… obviously it occurs here on occasion as well… not sure of the answer! but I agree and sympathize with you on this issue.
November 29th, 2004 at 3:33 pm
Let me say there is a bit of history between spurs and us not just because they are our most ?hated arch rivals? but calling a spurs fan Jew** whatever and the rhymes with lid is a very grey area. Not racist itself if you try to find out the history cause their own spurs p*ussy* fans believe, that is who they are. Again is a very grey area.
I?ve always been against so-called name calling whether racist or not and at times wonder why some people with small brains used football as the gathering place for their political agenda. I loved to fan at the expenses of Spurs and others but hateful speeches are not funny.
Again when it comes to Spurs is a very grey area. Walk up 7 sisters road towards Manor House game days and you will get it.
November 29th, 2004 at 3:33 pm
That’s the other word that blows me away. A quick search of this site shows the only article with those four letters refers to Scunthorpe United. There was a big hullaballoo a month back because a U.S. paper had an article discussing this word, saying it was the “new b*itch”. I find the word distasteful, but it seems about as bad as “d*ck” to some, mostly English, folk.
November 29th, 2004 at 3:37 pm
Actually a further review shows that outside of this posting, it has occurred twice, both times by members posting reply comments. I think you would be hard pressed to find a more civilized, intelligent group of Arsenal (any team?) supporters than Arsenal America.
November 29th, 2004 at 3:41 pm
Miranda..
I know where you coming from but you can’t take some terms out of football.. I called even my friends Cun*t , Puss*ys in a very friendly manner and trust me sometimes we called our own Arsenal players cu*ts when they are messing about or not playing well.
Let not take the fan out of football. Too much “PC ness” will kill the game. I believe there is a huge difference between racism and PCness.
November 29th, 2004 at 5:04 pm
I know what you mean about pc - football will a lot drearier if it’s ever imposed. I once read about Verona fans discussing what to shout at Udinese and considering the usual non-pc terms of abuse (’Mongol’, ‘Slavs’, ‘Cripples’, etc.) but finally coming up with a stroke of absolute genius: ‘Earthquake Victims’ - which is utterly appalling because the people around there actually had suffered an eathquake the previous year, and there’d have been Udinese fans who’d lost family members. Yet I laughed out loud when I read it. Why? I mean why is it funny, sort of, when racist abuse never is?
November 29th, 2004 at 6:01 pm
I just wanted to add my voice to the many who will not tolerate racist language or behavior. I can handle a lot of unPC stuff, but not racism. Here in Minnesota I heard that a school called a recent gathering a “Harvest party” instead of a Halloween party. Now that’s just stupid to me, and completely over the top. I think ArsenalAmerica is very responsible though, and I completely support this policy. I could never love this website as much as I do if there weren’t so many passionate and commited people here who don’t find the need to resort to name calling. I love reading your stuff folks, even when I don’t always reply.
November 29th, 2004 at 10:29 pm
I am the person that wrote this particular E-mail to Cohen of foxfootballfriday.
Let me start by saying sorry to anyone that I offended. However as other people have said I meant it as a dig at Spurs ( I grew up in North London) not at Jewish people. I am not a racist and if you knew where my Wife was from you would know this.
As for Cohen here is what he replied with “There?s only one Arsene Wenger
Just one Arsene wenger
With a packet of sweets and a big cheeky smile
Wenger is a ***** peaodophile.”
I will let you judge what kind of person HE is.
November 29th, 2004 at 10:39 pm
well said.
I’m a Chelsea supporter in NY, but also knew (when he lived here) J.J. Hill-Wood ( a real class act), Nick Hornby, and many other Gooner supporters. We can wind each other up, but our pal in SD crossed the line. We can sing about Wenger’s (alleged) tastes, but we do so with a smile, and with a drink for all oppos after the game, much as we would Spurs, ‘Pool, ManU, Fulham etc. We’re all in this together, and we recognize it is only a game. I must also tip my hat in tribute to Arsenal..they have set the standard which we have aimed for, as much as others will use us as their standard. I’ll be in orlando on the 12th at Cricketer’s Arms…probably wearing “Auotglass”!
November 29th, 2004 at 11:11 pm
yo gonner sd man i was the one who sent to you about what you said, but you then cursed me out..
just stay away from trouble and dont make the fans of the best club in the world look bad by using unnecssary language.
anyway thats good that you apoligized but you should send it directly to steven
later
rob
November 30th, 2004 at 12:24 am
I wouldn’t be all that surprised if that twit made a reference to this on his show on Friday. Still not enough to make me sit and suffer through an hour of that “show”.
November 30th, 2004 at 3:46 am
I’ll have to give up watching Deadwood and The Sopranos
November 30th, 2004 at 4:15 am
Hey I’m very proud you standd up as a man..Not all Cu*t. Puss*ys and you know what will stand up and say sorry. I forgive you even his reply was not nice but used to that. That is a typical Tott fan for you.
And as I said yesterday ppl should understand the bad blood between the two clubs or will take everything out of context.
And I will buy you a Gun to clean White Shit Lanz
November 30th, 2004 at 4:17 am
I will also have to give up watching Dead Ringers, I got news of you and The think is all over.
Let have some fan guys. Nothing wrong with those words in my books
November 30th, 2004 at 8:57 am
Finally…a lurker who enjoys the game of football and, I offer, may just have a life. ;^)
Thanks for the words.
November 30th, 2004 at 9:24 am
Simpatico with your comments, Rick.
However, Cohen takes every available opportunity to indict The Arsenal on his show and I wouldn’t be surprised if their wasn’t something personal in all of this. I have heard him talk time and time again about him feeling scared as a young supporter after a riot with Gooners or something. Fair enough…but events that have sprung his personal hate issues are unsettlingly familiar to the origins of some of the notions he IS indicting.
There are other ways of attacking the problem. For instance, he could have patrolled the site and seen that that kind of language isn’t present here and made some kind of blanket statement on his show, or at least made it clear to you that he is in favor of the way we conduct ourselves here. But as far as I can tell (and I admit I may not be getting all the information) he couldnt’ resist having a go at you/us. For gods sake, Ashley Cole was one of the players attacked, as was Henry. One could argue that Reyes has never been the same since Aragones guilted him among Arsenal fans by association. I would have appreciated a little credit before he came to THESE hallowed grounds.
I understand you position, and in many ways you, Andrew, Cohen and Geber are birds of a feather by helping the great sport of football become established in the States. For that I am grateful. But for someone who has listened and watched their show, and laughed off the “Wayne Bridge” sound bite and all the other crap the Cohen has spouted about our team, I’d rather not hear about his personal problems on a site that has made every effort to side with him on this terrible and epidemic issue.
That being said, I applaud your giving him this forum. How Gooner of you.
November 30th, 2004 at 9:43 am
Big of you to address the issue. I’m not familiar with all of the Spurs name-calling history, so I’m just going to stick with “Spurtz” because after the two seconds it takes me to say it they’re out of my mind anyway.
As for attacking Wenger…its easy and cheap, but that’s okay and part of the fun. However, Cohen has on more than one occasion called HENRY Mr. Ed “when he speaks because of his lips” and no one says a peep. Think about THAT for a second. The fact is, Cohen draws the attention as well by CONSTANTLY ripping at our team. Truly sorry for him if he was offended from a principal standpoint, but the guy’s talking out of both sides of his mouth a bit.
And if you’re bothering to read this Cohen (who am I kidding?), here’s something I’d love to hear you address: other than the fact that your team would be nowhere near where they are now without your Russian billionaire, what do you really think about Chelsea’s blank check transfer policy and distinctly unfair and questionably-begotten depth? Now be honest, and if you can, try and not take a swipe at Henry’s lips.
In summation: Arsenal America is a virtual bastion of decency in the world of football. I’d like to hear more about that from rival supporters. (See: beautgameny, above.)
November 30th, 2004 at 11:49 am
I’ve had the same experience. It’s difficult to explain. I know Jewish Arsenal fans who chant Y*ddo at the scum from the other end of Seven Sisters Road.
It’s not seen as an anti-jewish chant, just anti-sp*rs.
Arsenal have the most multi-cultural mix of fans anywhere and as I’ve stated before, If you’re a Gooner, you’re familly. Apart from Osama Bin Laden.
Maybe it’s his influence that’s enabled Arsenal to have most of their games screened live an Al-Jazeerah TV
November 30th, 2004 at 3:01 pm
What’s supposed to be wrong with Halloween?
November 30th, 2004 at 3:02 pm
Rick, I agree with you completly about how we are all too sensitive at times. I will say (rather sensitivly!!!) that i think maybe here in the UK, we let certain things go that you guys wouldn’t. Im not saying either of us is right or wrong, but the other MUST understand where the other is coming from and realise the context before having a go. E.g. on Bigsoccer for the derby game in my pre-match piece, I wrote the phrase “Lets tonk the *id Army”. Now to anyone who has grown up with the rivalry, it’s not even bat an eyelid material. But I got had a go at by someone who hadn’t realised the context. So I learnt myself to be more aware and he understood that if you watch any Spurs game on TV, not only will you want to kill yourself (!!) but you will here the chants of “*id Army” throughout the match. I took two Americans from Chicago to the recent derby at White Fart Lane and they were amazed as they hadn’t realised that it is a Tottenham fan “thing”.
From a personal point of view I know 5 Spurs season ticket holders, 3 of whom are Jewish - not a great amount but they all chant “*id Army” and I honestly doubt many UK people (who will know the background and context) would get offended.
November 30th, 2004 at 3:05 pm
To be honest the word c*nt in the UK, is not something that many people think of as offensive to women, its a horrible word - yes. But is often used to describe something you don’t like. Personally I reserve the word for one thing/person - Teddy Sheringham - who is fully deserving of the word!!!!!
November 30th, 2004 at 4:32 pm
I think its something like “All Hallos Eve” being a pagan celebration or something. I’m not even sure to be truthful.
November 30th, 2004 at 5:39 pm
I believe this hasn’t been the only time that he’s had a go at ArsenalAmerica (on the radio show a couple of years ago). But in general I’m in complete agreement that if this is a problem that has been emanating from ArsenalAmerica it should be adressed asap. However if it is a singular action, I’m also not interested in hearing about Cohen’s personal problems.
December 1st, 2004 at 2:11 pm
Don’t agree about c*nt not being that bad in the UK. Where I live (north London) it’s considered appalling everywhere - EXCEPT IN FOOTBALL, of course. But there, yes, I’m afraid you’re right, it’s regarded as mild and quite normal - I hear it all the time when I watch games in the pub and I read it on footballing websites. But why would that mean it’s OK?
C*nt means woman, woman reduced to her genitals, woman as nothing more than sexual object. It’s an insult, an expression of hate and contempt. Try saying ‘black c*nt’ and see how it sounds. Thankfully racist abuse has now almost vanished, at least around here, but sexist abuse is still somehow just part of the fun. Male fun, that is, because football is still a very male thing. Women barely participate. Even as fans they’re outnumbered by, I’d guess, about a thousand to one. They certainly don’t occupy respected positions of power. Where are the women premiership managers? Where are the women premiership players, come to that? Do they lack the ability - too small, too weak, too slow? If you think yes, would you say the same thing about Asian men (who also tend to be small)? Or could it be something to do with the culture? I’d go for the culture myself, given Sepp Blatter’s recent suggestion that it would be so much more entertaining if the ladies played in day-glo g-strings and spangles on their nipples. The use of c*nt is part of that same way of thinking. Sure, I can put up with it, just as black fans once had to put up with monkey-grunts and bananas. It’s just part of the package of being an Arsenal supporter, but it’s not a comfortable experience and I look forward to a time when it’s gone.
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