West Ham Rebukes Offensive Chant Aimed at Manor Solomon
West Ham have issued a firm rebuke to a section of their own support after an "offensive and divisive" chant aimed at Manor Solomon was heard during the club’s opening Championship fixture at Burnley.
The chant, which the club say carried an "anti-Palestine message", came from part of the away end at Turf Moor during last Sunday’s 2-2 draw. West Ham moved quickly this week to distance themselves from it and to call for it to stop.
Club draws a line
In a statement released ahead of their first home league game of the season, against Charlton, West Ham reminded fans that they carry the club’s reputation with them every time they step into a stadium.
The club stressed that "each and every supporter is an ambassador for West Ham United" and underlined that all fans "regardless of their background" must be able to follow their team "without fear, discrimination or abuse".
The message was clear: passion is welcome, prejudice is not.
"We understand that singing and chanting is a traditional and deeply embedded part of the matchday experience," the statement continued. West Ham urged fans to "sing loud and proud" for the team and the players in claret and blue – but not in a way "that creates division or causes offence among fellow fans".
The intervention comes just weeks after Solomon’s arrival from Tottenham, a move that brought the Israel international back to London after previous loan spells at Fulham and Leeds.
Spotlight on Solomon
Solomon, 27, has 49 caps for Israel and built his reputation at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won three league titles in Ukraine before heading to England. He impressed during a stint at Fulham and then played his part in helping Leeds win the Championship in the 2024-25 season.
Now he finds himself at the centre of a wider debate about what is acceptable inside football grounds.
West Ham’s stance leaves little room for doubt. They want the noise, the colour, the edge that comes with a big away following. They do not want political or discriminatory chanting tied to the name of their new winger – or anyone else in claret and blue.
