West Ham urges fans to stop ‘offensive’ Manor Solomon Palestine chant
Supporters sang the Israeli winger “hates Palestine” during the club’s Championship opener against Burnley
West Ham have urged supporters to stop singing a chant about Israeli winger Manor Solomon, which the club says risks causing offence and division among fans.
The chant, which includes the words “Manor Solomon is on my mind, and he hates Palestine”, was heard during West Ham’s opening Championship match against Burnley at Turf Moor on 16 August.
Solomon scored on his debut to put West Ham 2-0 ahead in the second half, before Burnley struck twice late on to secure a 2-2 draw.
The 27-year-old joined West Ham from Tottenham earlier this month in a deal worth up to £7 million, after struggling for regular first-team football during his time at Spurs.
The club has now called on supporters to stop the chant, saying fans should be able to attend matches without facing discrimination or abuse.
West Ham said: “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.”
“We understand that singing and chanting is a traditional and deeply embedded part of the match day experience.
“We encourage our supporters to sing loud and proud about their football club and players wearing the claret and blue shirt – but never in a way that creates division or causes offence among fellow fans.”
The club also reminded supporters that “each and every supporter is an ambassador” for West Ham.
Speaking after his debut game against Burnley, Solomon thanked West Ham supporters for their backing.
He sad: “I want to thank the fans for the support they’ve shown me in my first game in front of them. I was really happy to play in front of them.”
Before Solomon’s transfer was completed, his agent Shlomi Ben Ezra highlighted the club’s history of Israeli players, telling Israeli outlet Sports5: “West Ham are a huge club; Yossi Benayoun and Eyal Berkovic were there, too.”
Solomon is the latest in a line of Israeli footballers to represent West Ham, following Berkovic, Benayoun, Yaniv Katan and Tal Ben Haim.
Former Israel manager Avram Grant also managed the east London club during the 2010/11 season.