Police probe allegations of West Ham racist chanting
6th March 2007
Daily Mail
More problems: West Ham United's Icelandic owner Eggert Magnusson. When he bought West Ham earlier in the season he thought he had bought a good team. Last season they reached the FA Cup Final against Liverpool. But as they now languish at the bottom of the Premiership, maybe him buying the team was a mistake.
East London team West Ham United are rock bottom of the Premiership and have won just 5 games all season. In the weekend's game against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham (in the claret and blue shirts) still couldn't win despite leading 2-0 at half time and 3-2 with just a few minutes of the game remaining. Tottenham won the game 4-3.
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West Ham face a police and FA investigation after a video of their supporters singing racist songs at Upton Park appeared on the internet. Just when it seemed the club's miserable season could not get any worse, a group of about 30 supporters were filmed before Sunday's 4-3 defeat by Tottenham.
The supporters - who appear to be standing in a bar area on the stadium's concourse - are singing "I would rather be a Paki than a Jew".
The song is meant to refer to Tottenham's large Jewish fanbase and has been heard at fixtures between the London rivals before.
West Ham last night condemned the behaviour and vowed to find the fans responsible.
The FA also revealed they have passed the footage to police and have asked West Ham to provide them with details of stewarding and CCTV coverage in that section of the ground.
The club will only be punished if their security operation is found to be unsatisfactory, something that is thought to be unlikely.
West Ham said: "We are a leading campaigner in the Kick Racism out of Football campaign and we will not tolerate racist behaviour. We will investigate this matter fully."
The footage yesterday appeared on the YouTube website, though it was later removed. Several of the supporters' faces can be seen.
An FA spokesman said: "Racist behaviour has no place in football. We would hope that if these individuals are identified, they will be issued with banning orders."
West Ham officials will be particularly disappointed as the club have worked hard at race relations and players have given time to the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign.
Meanwhile, manager Alan Curbishley was given another vote of confidence yesterday and must worry when he sees how easily his Icelandic employer responds to media pressure.
Eggert Magnusson - who, with his consortium, paid £88million for the club - reacted to reports suggesting Curbishley was bracing himself for the sack by giving an interview to Sky Television. "I want everyone to know that Alan Curbishley remains the man who we will build our future success on," he said. "Nothing has changed regarding our long-term plans and he still has my full support - 100 per cent."
He said much the same shortly before sacking Alan Pardew earlier this season and, while Curbishley has the benefit of being his appointment, Magnusson does not appear terribly tolerant.
The 10-point gap between the Premiership's bottom club and safety now looks insurmountable, and even if they do rediscover a knack for winning matches, the Premier League could punish them if they are found guilty of fielding ineligible players earlier this season.
Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks has also accused several players of letting the side down.
"Some players just seem to go through the motions," he said.
"I'm not going to name names but there are three or four players who, to me, don't seem to try."
Meanwhile, Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green has urged his teammates not to slide out of the Premiership without a fight.
"We are fighting for our lives. If we don't put that effort in for every game we need to be shot," he said.
THE BOTTOM 5 TEAMS OF THE PREMIERSHIP
The bottom 3 teams at the end of the season are relegated into the lower division. West Ham are 10 points from safety with just 9 games remaining.
.................................P.....W.....D.....L.....F.....A.....Points
Sheffield United.............29......8.....7.....14...25.....41.....31
Manchester City.............27......8.....6.....13...20.....33.....30
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Charlton Athletic............29......6.....6.....17...26.....49.....24
Watford......................29......3.....11....15...18.....43.....20
West Ham United...........29......5......5.....19...21....50......20
dailymail.co.uk
6th March 2007
Daily Mail
More problems: West Ham United's Icelandic owner Eggert Magnusson. When he bought West Ham earlier in the season he thought he had bought a good team. Last season they reached the FA Cup Final against Liverpool. But as they now languish at the bottom of the Premiership, maybe him buying the team was a mistake.
East London team West Ham United are rock bottom of the Premiership and have won just 5 games all season. In the weekend's game against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham (in the claret and blue shirts) still couldn't win despite leading 2-0 at half time and 3-2 with just a few minutes of the game remaining. Tottenham won the game 4-3.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Ham face a police and FA investigation after a video of their supporters singing racist songs at Upton Park appeared on the internet. Just when it seemed the club's miserable season could not get any worse, a group of about 30 supporters were filmed before Sunday's 4-3 defeat by Tottenham.
The supporters - who appear to be standing in a bar area on the stadium's concourse - are singing "I would rather be a Paki than a Jew".
The song is meant to refer to Tottenham's large Jewish fanbase and has been heard at fixtures between the London rivals before.
West Ham last night condemned the behaviour and vowed to find the fans responsible.
The FA also revealed they have passed the footage to police and have asked West Ham to provide them with details of stewarding and CCTV coverage in that section of the ground.
The club will only be punished if their security operation is found to be unsatisfactory, something that is thought to be unlikely.
West Ham said: "We are a leading campaigner in the Kick Racism out of Football campaign and we will not tolerate racist behaviour. We will investigate this matter fully."
The footage yesterday appeared on the YouTube website, though it was later removed. Several of the supporters' faces can be seen.
An FA spokesman said: "Racist behaviour has no place in football. We would hope that if these individuals are identified, they will be issued with banning orders."
West Ham officials will be particularly disappointed as the club have worked hard at race relations and players have given time to the Kick Racism Out of Football campaign.
Meanwhile, manager Alan Curbishley was given another vote of confidence yesterday and must worry when he sees how easily his Icelandic employer responds to media pressure.
Eggert Magnusson - who, with his consortium, paid £88million for the club - reacted to reports suggesting Curbishley was bracing himself for the sack by giving an interview to Sky Television. "I want everyone to know that Alan Curbishley remains the man who we will build our future success on," he said. "Nothing has changed regarding our long-term plans and he still has my full support - 100 per cent."
He said much the same shortly before sacking Alan Pardew earlier this season and, while Curbishley has the benefit of being his appointment, Magnusson does not appear terribly tolerant.
The 10-point gap between the Premiership's bottom club and safety now looks insurmountable, and even if they do rediscover a knack for winning matches, the Premier League could punish them if they are found guilty of fielding ineligible players earlier this season.
Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks has also accused several players of letting the side down.
"Some players just seem to go through the motions," he said.
"I'm not going to name names but there are three or four players who, to me, don't seem to try."
Meanwhile, Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green has urged his teammates not to slide out of the Premiership without a fight.
"We are fighting for our lives. If we don't put that effort in for every game we need to be shot," he said.
THE BOTTOM 5 TEAMS OF THE PREMIERSHIP
The bottom 3 teams at the end of the season are relegated into the lower division. West Ham are 10 points from safety with just 9 games remaining.
.................................P.....W.....D.....L.....F.....A.....Points
Sheffield United.............29......8.....7.....14...25.....41.....31
Manchester City.............27......8.....6.....13...20.....33.....30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charlton Athletic............29......6.....6.....17...26.....49.....24
Watford......................29......3.....11....15...18.....43.....20
West Ham United...........29......5......5.....19...21....50......20
dailymail.co.uk
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