Tottenham fan arrested over alleged "Yid" chant

London (AFP) - A Tottenham fan was arrested after allegedly chanting the word "Yid" during his team's 3-0 defeat against West Ham at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Metropolitan Police had issued a pre-match warning to supporters of both teams that they could be arrested if they used the inflammatory word during the London derby.

However, that plea was largely ignored and one fan was held on suspicion of committing a section five public order offence at half-time in the stadium's East Stand.

Tottenham fans had sent a clear message of defiance to police by chanting "Yid Army" during the Premier League fixture.

Yid is a term for Jew which is often considered derogatory, but fans of the north London club chant the word as an act of defiance against those who taunt them because of their links with the Jewish community.

Despite the police warning, large sections of the Tottenham crowd sang "Yid Army" and "We'll sing what we want" before kick-off and the chants did not cease throughout the match.

As is customary at all Spurs matches, home fans hailed their own players by shouting "Yiddo" at them, while "Jermain Defoe, he's a Yiddo" was often sung throughout the game in reference to the club's former West Ham striker.