The Metropolitan Police have announced that fans using the word 'Yid' during Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League clash against West Ham United this weekend could be arrested.

The issue over the term, which Spurs fans insist is not used in a discriminatory way against Judaism, has come to light over the last few months, with some claiming that it could be deemed offensive to people of the Jewish religion.

Despite Prime Minister David Cameron stating that fans should be allowed to chant the word as long as it is not used in a hateful manner, the police have warned fans against using it this Sunday.

A statement from Chief Superintendent Mick Johnson said: "This topic has been debated at length but our position is clear, racism and offensive language have no place in football or indeed in society.

"Those supporters who engage in such behaviour should be under no illusion that they may be committing an offence and may be liable to a warning or be arrested."

Since the controversy, groups of Spurs fans have been heard singing chants, such as "Yid army", during matches.