Tottenham Hotspur say they are "astonished" by an article in Marca, Spain's best-selling daily newspaper, claiming that the club is "hated" for its Jewish origins.
The Madrid-based sports daily printed the claim on Monday as part of its coverage of Tottenham's visit to the Spanish capital to play Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League group game.
The article, bylined to Marca's senior reporter Enrique Ortega, claimed that Spurs were "hated" by rival fans, adding: "Their Jewish origin has made them into a club disliked by rival fans...but in their 135 years of existence they have always had style and great players.