West Ham Chief Gives Racism Warning

West Ham United’s co-chairman David Gold has insisted that the club will take a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards any of its fans who are found to have made anti-Semitic chants. 

The remarks were made in the aftermath of the West Ham match against Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday, where reports of anti-Semitic taunts have surfaced. 

So far the case has resulted in two Hammers fans accepting a police caution, with one supporter given a lifetime ban from matches for gestures made at the match.

On Monday it was also announced that the Football Association will hold an investigation into the taunts made by the away fans during Tottenham’s 3-1 win, who historically hold strong links with the Jewish community.

Police confirmed that two fans were arrested inside the ground for racially aggravated public order offences – with media reports suggesting that the fans made  Nazi-style salutes.

It was also reported that a section of the away support sang songs referencing Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader who ordered the mass murder of six million Jews during the Holocaust, and the recent stabbing of Spurs fans in Rome last week.

Gold, who took over the east London club with David Sullivan in 2010, told the BBC: ‘We have a clear stance towards any kind of discriminatory behaviour – it will not be tolerated.’

‘David and I are leading an investigation from the top of the club to establish exactly what happened at White Hart Lane on Sunday. If we can identify any individuals that have acted inappropriately they will be sought out and banned by the club as part of our zero tolerance policy.’

‘I am very proud of my Jewish heritage and have always been made to feel welcome at West Ham since I started watching them as a young boy back in the 1950s.’

‘That wasn’t always the case growing up in the East End and I know first-hand how difficult dealing with prejudice can be, which is why I feel so passionately about promoting inclusion in society today.’