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Tottenham condemns Marca over claims club is hated for its Jewish roots

Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Tottenham condemned a report from a Spanish newspaper, which claimed the north London outfit is despised due to its Jewish origins.

Madrid-based news outlet Marca made the claim during a preview, ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter between Tottenham and Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Marca provided its readers with an inside look at the Premier League club, complimenting the team's "good footballing style."

But a section about the club's history prompted a response from Tottenham after Marca claimed that rival supporters "dislike" the club because of its historical ties to the Jewish community.

Monday's edition of Marca, as translated by The Telegraph, read: "Their Jewish heritage has historically made them into a club disliked by rival fans, but in their 135 years of existence they have always had style and great players.

"Since its beginnings, the club has had an undeniable connection with the Jewish community represented in directors, coaches and players. And the current owner and president, Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy, are Jewish."

Tottenham released a statement shortly after to express its bewilderment over the claim and questioned Marca's credibility as a source for news.

We are astonished that a publication such as Marca, which presents itself as an alleged source of professional journalism, has seen fit to publish such an article which is blatantly wrong and wholly distasteful.

Tottenham fans have previously faced public criticism over their own use of derogatory terms that refer to the team's Jewish origins. The club has asked police to arrest supporters for using the term "Yid" during matches, but authorities have stated that the use of the word is not an arrestable offence.

Spurs are not the only team to be involved in anti-Semitic chants. Chelsea announced earlier this season that fans taking part in offensive chants would be banned, following an incident at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City, when supporters belted out a song about Alvaro Morata with the claim, "He came from Real Madrid, he hates the f------ Yids".

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