Pochettino says anti-Semitic banner during Tottenham-Partizan draw 'unacceptable'

Tottenham Hotspur football team manager Mauricio Pochettino has said that the anti-Semitic banner displayed by Partizan Belgrade football club fans during their UEFA Europa League tie was unacceptable.

The banner had been an imitation of the logo from BBC comedy show 'Only Fools and Horses' with racist words written on it. Pochettino said that this is a shame, very disrespectful and unacceptable, adding that the club is aware but he did not see it.

The banner was on display during the 0-0 draw between Tottenham and Partizan, and European football's governing body is investigating the matter, The BBC reported.

Tottenham officials made UEFA aware of the banner before the break and delegates took photographic evidence after the match.

Pochettino said that if this is true, then it is an unacceptable thing. Tottenham, who have an historical association with London's Jewish community, are expected to make an official complaint in the next 48 hours.

In 2007, Partizan were thrown out of the UEFA Cup and fined for rioting during a first qualifying round first-leg clash at Zrinjski Mostar.

And it was in Serbia two years ago that Tottenham left-back Danny Rose, who did not travel with the squad for the Europa League tie, was subjected to racial abuse while on England Under-21s duty, the report added.