Published: 9 January, 2014
by TONY DALLAS

I’M back for 2014, and sadly I have to kick off my column by talking about the ugly face of racism and anti-Semitism that has surfaced yet
again among the footballing fraternity.

I am, of course, talking about the heinous comments made on twitter by outraged Arsenal fans who, by some twisted logic, feel it right and proper to wish all Spurs supporters the same fate as the many who died in Auschwitz.

If you were one of the mindless haters that sent that diatribe, or are someone who knows them, yet did or said nothing about it, then I have a message for you: Get a life! For those smugly sitting there saying “I have got a life mate!”, trust me. . . no you haven’t!

You’re old coins in a new economy, and we don’t need you.

Not now, not ever! In my opinion, you’re taking up much-needed space on our planet – space that could be better used elsewhere.

It’s a game of football; a local sporting rivalry that some pieces of garbage disguised as football fans have taken too far.

As I’ve said before, some of my best friends are Arsenal supporters.

We have friendly banter that leads to nothing more than an expletive or two followed by waves of laughter.

As for the Spurs fans throwing coins and whose contorted faces littered my TV screen as Theo Walcott was being stretchered off, what’s wrong with you?

I’m not saying I wasn’t slightly vexed when he signalled 2-0 with his fingers.

But didn’t our beloved Gareth Bale do the same when we were beating them not so long ago?

And didn’t you laugh and applaud –  as I did –  when Emmanuel Adebayor ran the length of a pitch to ram it in Gooner faces after scoring against them for Man City?

Both sides need to calm down; you’re grown ups! Some of you have, or are going to have children, and this is the level you set for them?

 My children, who embrace difference, tolerance and compassion, would be mortified to see their father behave like that. Yours should be too.

On a lighter note, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year.

I look forward to hearing from you in 2014.

So make sure you email us your thoughts and comments on this column.