Greater Manchester Police have appealed for witnesses to help identify football fans heard chanting an antisemitic song before West Ham's match against Manchester United on Saturday.
A video circulated on social media showed the fans singing an abusive song about rivals Tottenham on a tram that included the words “I've got a foreskin” and “f***ing Jew”.
It appeared to have been filmed shortly before West Ham’s match at Manchester United, which they lost 2-1.
“Racism of any kind has no place in our society and I would like to reassure the public that we are taking this matter extremely seriously," Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Boyce told the JC.
“We will endeavour to work closely with them to identify those in the video.
“I would also ask anyone with any footage of the incident, or information they think can help us in our enquiries, to please contact us immediately and pass this on.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4409 ot Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
West Ham said the fans would be banned from its stadium for life.
“We are disgusted by the contents of the video circulating on social media on Saturday evening,” the club said in a statement.
“We are taking immediate action to try to identify the offenders, whose details we will be handing over to the police and will be banned for life from London Stadium and from travelling with the Club.
“West Ham United is unequivocal in its stance – there is no place for this kind of behaviour at our Club.
“We do not want people like this associated with West Ham. They are not welcome at our Club, they are not welcome in civilised society.”
The footage was filmed by the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and shared by her son, the journalist Darren Richman.
The anti-racism campaign Kick It Out tweeted: “We received a report of a video of a group of West Ham fans chanting vile antisemitic abuse today.
“We welcome the swift and positive response of @WestHamUtd and support the club's determination to ban the perpetrators.”
Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for a comment.
