Antisemitic chants at school football game reported

Police are investigating reports of antisemitic chanting at a children's football match involving a Jewish school.

The under-15 boys of London school JFS were playing in a national cup quarter-final at Thorpe St Andrew School, near Norwich, on Thursday.

Norfolk Police said it received a report of a suspected hate crime in which antisemitic chants were reportedly heard coming from spectators.

In a letter to parents, the principal at the Norfolk school, Penny Bignell, said antisemitic behaviour was "completely unacceptable" and the school had started a full investigation.

Founded in 1732 as the Jews' Free School in the East End, JFS is based in Kenton in north-west London.

The match was in round eight of the English Schools' Football Association Boys Under-15 Schools' Cup, which has involved 663 teams.

Norfolk Police said the force received a report of a hate crime the following day, and inquiries were ongoing.

A spokesperson for Thorpe St Andrew School said any behaviour of that nature "runs counter to the culture and values at our school".

"We are deeply concerned to hear about the comments reported," a spokesperson said.

They said the school was taking this "extremely seriously" and had started a full investigation.

A spokesperson for the English Schools' FA said they were also investigating.

JFS has been contacted for comment.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.