Antisemitic Remarks Shouted At Players During Deerfield Soccer Game

DEERFIELD, IL — Following an incident in which antisemitic remarks were directed at players on the Deerfield High School girls soccer team during a May 23 playoff game versus Saint Viator (Arlington Heights), the administration from both schools is condemning the hate speech.

According to Rev. Dan Lydon, president of Saint Viator, the game at Deerfield was stopped at the 22-minute mark of the second half after an unidentified spectator shouted antisemitic slurs at Deerfield players. Lydon said several Deerfield players confirmed hearing a male voice shout the slurs and informed the referee. The game was then stopped for 10 minutes while officials from both schools were informed of the incident.

"The remarks reported by the girls are deplorable and unacceptable," Lydon said in a statement on the school's website. "From the outset, our community was disturbed and greatly saddened that antisemitic remarks were made, and even worse, directed at young people."

Lydon said the perpetrator has not been identified and an investigation continues. He is asking anyone who may have information pertaining to the incident or those involved to contact the school.

In a letter to the Deerfield community, Principal Kathryn Anderson said the fan shouted, "Where is your Jewish star?" and "You should put a Jewish star on your shirt." Anderson commended the player who "bravely spoke up."

Following the game, Anderson said the soccer team, coaches, DHS administration, along with Rabbi Richard Prass, who has a daughter on the team, condemned the behavior and addressed it with the Illinois High School Association, Anti-Defamation League and Saint Viator.

"Our goal is to not only investigate the matter fully in order to identify the fan, but also to take whatever steps we can to ensure that these hateful actions never happen again," Anderson said.