West Ham have promised to hand out lifetime bans to anyone identified after shocking footage emerged showing fans singing anti-Semitic chants at a Jewish man.
A video circulating on social media appears to show several Hammers supporters on board a flight to Genk, in Belgium, where David Moyes’ side were playing in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The clip shows a man dressed in religious clothing sidling down the aisle towards the back of the plane while a small group of passengers can be heard singing the offensive song.
West Ham said it was ‘appalled by the contents of the video circulating on social media’ and condemned the behaviour of those involved.
A club spokesperson added: ‘The club is liaising with the airline and relevant authorities to identify the individuals.
‘We continue to be unequivocal in our stance – we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. Any individuals identified will be issued with an indefinite ban from the club.
‘Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the football club and we do not welcome any individuals who do not share those values.’
The Hammers edged closer to the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 2-2 draw at the Cegeka Arena.
Said Benrahma scored twice as West Ham came from behind to lead 2-1, but luckless substitute Soucek inadvertently headed a late cross inside the near post to leave them with just a point.
Last month, Moyes urged West Ham’s fans to be on their best behaviour on European nights.
He said: ‘We want to be welcomed all over Europe. We want to be a club which people want to invite because of the football and because of the support.
‘But I’ll tell you another reason: my dad, my wife and my family are all going to travel to all the away games to support West Ham.
‘My dad’s 80-odd and I want him to feel that he can go and have a few beers with the supporters and get to games and feel there’s no problem, so that’s the way we want it to be.
‘We want to see the team win but we want to get a couple of days away and enjoy it, so we need everybody to be pulling in the right direction.
‘We want to be a good West Ham.’
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