Players using the word ` ` yid '' at Wednesday 's game between Spurs and West Ham face arrest . `` Some words -- like the ' Y ' word -- which historically have been perceived by some as acceptable , cause harassment , alarm or distress to others , and people who use this language could be committing a criminal offense , '' the Metropolitan Police said in a statement on its website . Some fans brand themselves the ` ` ' Army , '' though the term can be offensive . The Football Association had warned fans they faced prosecution for uttering ` ` yid '' A West Ham supporter was banned last season for his racist salute at the same fixture .
Players using the word ` ` yid '' at Wednesday 's game between Spurs and West Ham face arrest . Some fans brand themselves the ` ` ' Army , '' though the term can be offensive . The Football Association had warned fans they faced prosecution for uttering ` ` yid '' A West Ham supporter was banned last season for his racist salute at the same fixture .