Lyon, France – Jewish fans of the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club were the target of an organized anti-semitic attack last Wednesday in Lyon, France.
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The Guardian (http://bit.ly/ZkJg4O) is reporting that a group of as many as 50 mask-wearing thugs twice launched attacks on Jewish Spur supporters at the Smoking Dog Pub, smashing doors and throwing cast-iron chairs, while taunting them with Nazi salutes.
A club statement on Twitter said, “Club officials attended an incident last night in Lyon. A group of around 50 people confronted the fans. The situation was dealt with and arrests were made within the hour. Three fans sustained minor injuries & received prompt medical attention.”
Additional security has been added aimed at protecting both the team and its supporters.
The incident marks the second time that Tottenham fans, who have a strong Jewish support, have been the target of anti-semitic attacks over the past three months. In November, one fan was stabbed and others hurt when they were ambushed in a Rome pub the night before their game against Lazio.
The Jewish Community Protection Service (SPCJ) published a report this week citing 22 antisemitic attacks in Lyon last year, making it the third worst for a French city after Paris and Marseille.
The SPCJ is calling it ‘a year of unprecedented violence against Jews in France.’
Footage below from inside the Smoking Dog pub in Lyon has emerged showing Tottenham fans crowded at the back of the bar as they are attacked by masked men in Lyon on Wednesday night. Fans in the bar can be heard demanding that the attackers be arrested as the windows and the door of the bar are struck by chairs from outside WARNING: Contains strong language.