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A Massachusetts high school football team used anti-Semitic language while calling audibles during a game – saying words like “Auschwitz,” “rabbi” and “dreidel,” according to district officials and the Anti-Defamation League.

Members of Duxbury High School’s football team uttered the offensive terms while calling last-second plays at the line of scrimmage during a March 12 game, Duxbury Public Schools superintendent John Antonucci confirmed to the head of the Anti-Defamation League of New England, the Boston Globe reported Tuesday.

“It’s deeply hurtful to the Jewish community to learn that the plays somehow connect to the Holocaust and Judaism,” ADL New England executive director Robert Trestan said. “This is a really serious situation. There are indications of systemic failure both on and off the field.”

In a Monday statement obtained by The Post, Antonucci also acknowledged that the team used “highly offensive language” on the field.

But the superintendent did not specify the language used other than to say it had “religious connotations” and wasn’t directed at the opposing team or any individual player.


  Duxbury High head coach Dave Maimaron stands with his team on Nov. 23, 2019. Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Duxbury High head coach Dave Maimaron stands with his team on Nov. 23, 2019. Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

“It is important to note that while the players clearly demonstrated poor judgment, the responsibility for this incident also lies with the adults overseeing the program,” Antonucci said in the joint statement signed by another district official and the high school’s principal. “In short, this was a systemic failure.”

An investigation into the incident was launched last week and the play-calling system was immediately halted, Antonucci said.

The superintendent asserted Tuesday the probe into the matter is ongoing, but acknowledged that “it has become clear” that some players did use anti-Semitic or other derogatory language on the field.

“We are continuing our investigation and will have further comment at a later time,” Antonucci said.

But ADL officials are calling for a “full-scale independent investigation,” Trestan said, adding that there are indications that the play-call system had been in place for “quite some time” without complaints.

One former student told the Globe the system was used during football practices in previous seasons, but not during games.

The team’s coach, meanwhile, has apologized for the “insensitive, crass and inappropriate” language used during the game against Plymouth North High School.

“Using the term was careless, unnecessary and most importantly hurtful on its face — inexcusable,” coach David Maimaron said. “The staff and the team have been transparent and cooperative with the administration during this time, and we have taken responsibility for the incident.”

Maimaron is not expected to return to the sidelines as the investigation continues, according to the Globe.

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