Mauricio Pochettino urges fans to ‘kill’ racism as Arsenal quarter-final looms

Mauricio Pochettino wants to “kill” any bad behaviour and racism from the stands for Tottenham’s second north London derby inside three weeks.

Spurs go to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday, two and a half weeks after the league meeting there which led to one supporter being charged by the Metropolitan police and banned by Tottenham for throwing a banana skin at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The fan has said it was not a racist act.

Pochettino said they have a responsibility to keep their support positive. “Our fans, Arsenal fans, Chelsea fans, around the world – we need to celebrate for us,” Pochettino said. “I don’t care if it is Arsenal fans, Argentina fans, Tottenham fans, Espanyol or Barcelona fans – I am against this type of situation.

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“For me it [racism] is the worst thing in the world and that is why I am completely against this behaviour. I don’t want to be populist – I don’t care whether it is our fans or other fans, I want to kill [the bad behaviour and racism]. For me it is like this. Our responsibility is to behave like this.”

After that game, which Spurs lost 4-2, the Arsenal team caused some irritation by posting on social media extensive celebratory pictures from the dressing room.

“It’s normal – when we won, we put selfies of ourselves too,” he said, suggesting Tottenham do it in a more understated fashion. “Of course it hurt a little bit because it’s a derby, but if we win we’re going to do the same [as we normally do].” They want to show their fans their happiness, but that is fair enough.”

Pochettino was speaking after Tottenham, clearly weary after their draw at Barcelona, laboured to a 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday. “You have a bit less energy, you play with less intensity,” said Hugo Lloris. “I think we made a good performance – not fantastic, but really professional.”

The three points kept them in third place and in touch with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top. In touch with the title race, perhaps. “In football you can win by scoring in the first minute or the last minute; the victory is the same,” the manager added. “We showed real character, belief. Our physical character was so strong. We won with other players [Pochettino made a number of changes to his team] but we keep the same attitude of the team. When you feel that the team manages all the circumstances or problems, you start to feel that you are really a team that is going to fight for big things.”