West Ham look into Islamophobic abuse of Mohamed Salah

by Graeme Jackson

Thursday Feb 07, 2019. 12:00

West Ham United have launched an investigation into alleged Islamophobic abuse of Liverpool player Mohamed Salah at their home ground earlier this week.

Social media footage has emerged which shows abuse being hurled at Liverpool’s Salah, who is one of the most famous Muslim athletes in the world. An expletive-laden volley of abuse was directed toward the Egyptian forward, who was taking a corner kick at the time.

The footage was filmed at the London Stadium on Monday night, during a Premier League clash which ended in a 1-1 draw between the Hammers and the Reds.

The Twitter user who uploaded the footage wrote: "I went to watch West Ham vs Liverpool and I was disgusted by what I was hearing. People like this deserve no place in our society let alone football matches."

The Metropolitan Police in London confirmed in a statement that no arrests have been made but that its officers are reviewing the footage.

West Ham said it had a "zero 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," a spokesperson for the club said Wednesday.

"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 behavior at our stadium.”

In a statement, police called for any witnesses to come forward.

"Anyone who witnesses inappropriate behaviour during a match is urged to bring it to the attention of a steward or police officer," the authorities have requested.