West Ham United have issued a public appeal to their supporters to stop singing a chant deemed offensive and divisive, following an incident during the club's opening Championship fixture of the season.
The chant, which reportedly carried an anti-Palestine message, was heard from a section of away fans during West Ham's 2-2 draw at Burnley last Sunday. According to reports, the chant was connected to Israeli winger Manor Solomon, who joined the Hammers this summer from Tottenham Hotspur.
Ahead of West Ham's first home game of the campaign — a sold-out clash with London rivals Charlton Athletic at the London Stadium this Saturday — the club released a statement calling on fans to reconsider their behavior and uphold the values the club says it stands for.
"West Ham United would like to remind supporters of the responsibility we all hold to represent the Club in the right way," the statement read, adding that "each and every supporter is an ambassador" for the club.
The club emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, stating: "Regardless of their background, every supporter within our diverse fanbase should also be free to enjoy watching their team play football without fear, discrimination or abuse. And we remain committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe, respected and included."
While acknowledging that chanting is a long-standing tradition among football supporters, West Ham drew a clear line between passionate support and behavior that alienates or offends others. "We understand that singing and chanting is a traditional and deeply embedded part of the matchday experience," the club said. "We encourage our supporters to sing loud and proud about their football club and the players wearing the claret and blue shirt – but never in a way that creates division or causes offence among fellow fans."
The statement also reaffirmed the club's broader identity, describing West Ham as an institution built on "togetherness, respect and a sense of community." Fans were urged to attend Saturday's match and show their support with "pride, passion and respect."
Solomon, 27, arrived at West Ham after a spell with Tottenham and has previous Premier League and Championship experience through loan stints at Fulham and Leeds United. The Israeli international, who has earned 49 caps for his national team, was part of the Leeds side that secured promotion from the Championship during the 2024-25 season. Before his move to England, Solomon also enjoyed success in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, winning three domestic titles during his time at the club.
The incident at Turf Moor has placed renewed focus on the conduct of traveling supporters and the broader responsibility clubs feel to address discriminatory behavior in stadiums. West Ham's statement did not specify what, if any, disciplinary measures might follow future instances of the chant being sung, but the tone of the message made clear the club's intent to discourage its continuation.
As West Ham prepare to welcome Charlton to the London Stadium for their home opener, all eyes will be on how supporters respond to the club's appeal. With the stadium sold out for the occasion, it promises to be a significant test of whether the message resonates with the fanbase.
Based on reporting from Standard Football and BBC Sport Football.