UK Edition
West Ham and police investigate after video emerges of Mohamed Salah 'being racially abused' at London Stadium
West Ham United and the Metropolitan Police are investigating after a video on social media appeared to show Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah being racially abused.
The Premier League club will ban for life anyone involved in the alleged incident which took place as Salah prepared to take a corner during Monday’s 1-1 draw between the two clubs at the London Stadium. The Football Association is also likely to examine the incident.
The footage, taken on a mobile phone, purports to show a fan swearing at the Egyptian forward and making abusive comments about his religion.
West Ham were unaware of the incident until it was brought to the club’s attention, after it appeared on social media, by the anti-racism group Kick It Out.
West Ham reacted immediately by contacting the police and launching their own investigation and are appealing for anyone with further information to contact them.
The club are determined to identify the fan, and are confident they will be able to do so, and any others who may have been involved, with a view to banning them from football and handing their details to the police.
The user who posted the video on Twitter said: "I was disgusted by what I was hearing. People like this deserve no place in our society let alone football matches. kickracismout"
A West Ham spokesperson said: "At West Ham United, we have a zero tolerance policy to any form of violent or abusive behaviour. We are an inclusive football club.
"Regardless of age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability, everyone is warmly welcomed at London Stadium.
"Anyone identified committing an offence will have their details passed to the police and will face a lifetime ban from London Stadium. There is no place for this kind of behaviour at our stadium."
A statement from the Met confirmed: "We are aware of a video in which it appears racial abuse is being directed at a player at a West Ham vs Liverpool game at London Stadium on Monday, 4 February. Officers are in the process of reviewing the footage.
"No arrests have been made and enquiries continue. Anyone who witnesses inappropriate behaviour during a match is urged to bring it to the attention of a steward or police officer."
The incident occurred just hours after the Government demanded a summit with football leaders to address fears of anew wave of racism is blighting the game.
The "urgent" meeting with the FA, Premier League, Football League and players’ representatives is one of the first major initiatives by Mims Davies since she took over as sports minister in November.
Stonewall and Kick It Out will also be invited to the meeting in a bid to agree on a new "zero tolerance" approach to discrimination at matches.
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall, and now West Ham have all faced allegations of racism on the terraces this season. The FA could use recently beefed-up powers to sanction Millwall after fans were recorded allegedly discriminating against the Pakistani community in the FA Cup on Jan 26.
The debate around racism in football reignited in December after the Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was abused during a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. It came a week after a banana skin was thrown at the Arsenal attacker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the match against Tottenham.