West Ham United has asked fans to put an end to a chant about Israeli winger Manor Solomon after it was deemed “Offensive and divisive.”
The chant, which features the lyrics “Manor Solomon is on my mind and he hates Palestine,” was heard last Sunday when the club kicked off its Championship season away to Burnley at Turf Moor.
Solomon, who is from Kefar Sava, Israel, recently joined the Hammers on a £7 million transfer deal from Spurs.
“Manor Solomon’s on my mind,
And he hates Palestine.”
West Ham fans debut new song for Israeli winger Manor Solomon on his debut against Burnley pic.twitter.com/bpaTcnGAvJ
In a statement, the club said: “[We want to] remind supporters of the responsibility we all hold to represent the club in the right way... each and every supporter is an ambassador,” as reported by the BBC.
The statement continued: “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.
“And we remain committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe, respected and included.
“We understand that singing and chanting is a traditional and deeply embedded part of the match day experience.
“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.”
Solomon is the fifth Israeli to represent West Ham, after Eyal Berkovic, Yaniv Katan, Yossi Benayoun, Tal Ben Haim and manager Avram Grant.
Despite some pro-Palestine protests over his signing, he told the JC this week: “West Ham is a massive club in England with a massive fan base.
“We need to start building something beautiful here. I am really happy to be a part of it.”
And former Israel and West Ham star Berkovic told the JC before the first game of the season: “I believe Solomon is going to be a success at West Ham. I know some fans had issues with the club signing an Israeli player but I'm sure that as soon as they'll see his first dribble they will fall in love.”
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