Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jimmy Greaves believes that there are no anti-Semitic connotations with the word 'Yid' when it is used in chants by Spurs fans.

The Football Association recently warned supporters that they could face criminal prosecution if they use the term during matches.

"People are trying to sanitise a situation for no reason whatsoever and if they are going to get arrested then I am going to stand up and shout it myself so I can be arrested as well," Greaves told the People.

"They are chants in support of Tottenham Hotspur - that was the case 50 years ago, so why has it suddenly become offensive now?

"Do you seriously think that Tottenham supporters are chanting it as a racist remark? Up until a few weeks ago I dare wager half of them probably didn't know what it meant."

Prime Minister David Cameron entered the debate by claiming that fans should be allowed to say the word as long as it is not "motivated by hate".