Three fans face racially-aggravated charges for alleged slurs at Tottenham matches

The charges against the fans were announced on the same day the English Football Association confirmed charges against striker Nicolas Anelka for performing a supposed anti-Semitic gesture during a celebration. (Warren Little/Getty Images)

British authorities on Tuesday confirmed that three fans face racially-aggravated charges for slurs made during Tottenham matches in late 2013, according to a report from the Associated Press.

The fans allegedly used a derogatory term for Jews -- "Yid" -- after British police had warned spectators that they would be arrested for using the word.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron had also issued a warning.

Gary Whybrow and Sam Parsons are accused of using the word at a Europa League game in November against FC Sheriff. Peter Ditchman is accused of using "Yid" at an October Premier League game against West Ham.

The news comes during a rash of similar incidents from the soccer world in which players and fans alike have been accused of making derogatory statements or actions that some believe to be anti-Semitic.

On Tuesday, West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka was charged by the English Football Association  for performing the ''quenelle,'' a gesture widely described as an inverted Nazi salute. Anelka claims it was "anti-system" but the EFA said it was "abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper....[and] included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief.''

San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker was pictured making the gesture in a photo several years ago with a French comedian, but Parker was not fined by the NBA. He apologized last December after the photo surfaced.

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