West Ham condemn 'divisive' chant about Israel's Solomon

West Ham United have called on fans to stop singing a chant that is seen as offensive and divisive, particularly during their recent match against Burnley. The club became aware of the chant, which allegedly targets winger Manor Solomon, an Israel national, and contains anti-Palestine sentiments. This chant was heard by some away supporters at Turf Moor during West Ham's 2-2 draw with Burnley last Sunday.

In response, West Ham released a statement before their upcoming home match against Charlton on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of supporters representing the club in an appropriate manner. The statement warned that each supporter is an ambassador for the club, and urged everyone to ensure that everyone feels safe, respected, and included, regardless of their background.

The club reiterated their commitment to maintaining a positive atmosphere during matches, acknowledging that singing and chanting is a traditional part of the matchday experience. However, they emphasized that fans should never sing in a way that creates division or causes offense among fellow supporters. West Ham praised Solomon, who has been capped 49 times by Israel, noting that he won three titles with Shakhtar Donetsk before a loan move to Fulham and helped Leeds win the Championship in the 2024-25 season.