West Ham Urges Fans to End Offensive Chant Against Manor Solomon
West Ham have issued a firm appeal to their own supporters, calling for an end to an "offensive and divisive" chant aimed at new signing Manor Solomon.
The song, which the club say carried an "anti-Palestine message", was heard from a section of the away end during last Sunday's 2-2 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor – West Ham's opening match of the Championship season.
Solomon, the Israel winger who arrived from Tottenham this summer after previous loan spells at Fulham and Leeds, found himself at the centre of an unwanted flashpoint before he has even kicked a ball at London Stadium in claret and blue.
Club draws a line
Ahead of their first home game of the league campaign on Saturday, against Charlton, West Ham moved quickly to address the incident with a strongly worded statement.
The club said it wanted to "remind supporters of the responsibility we all hold to represent the club in the right way" and stressed that "each and every supporter is an ambassador".
The message was unambiguous. West Ham underlined that "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".
They added that they "remain committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe, respected and included".
The club acknowledged the central place of noise and passion in English football culture, noting that singing and chanting are "a traditional and deeply embedded part of the matchday experience". But there was a clear red line: back the team, not bigotry.
"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 read.
Spotlight on Solomon
Solomon, 27, arrives with a substantial pedigree. Capped 49 times by Israel, he won three league titles in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk before moving to England, where he impressed on loan at Fulham and then helped Leeds win the Championship in the 2024-25 season.
Now he steps into a new chapter at West Ham, carrying both expectation and scrutiny.
The club have made it clear where they stand. The question is whether every voice in the stands will follow.
