The FA have to act on West Ham

Anti-Semitic chanting, hissing, threatening to stab the opposition, songs about Lazio and flares being set off – you wouldn’t be wrong for thinking this was the opening of a 1970’s football hooligan film. However, these were the incidents occurring in the away section during West Ham United’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening.

Yes, in modern day football when these acts are expected to clamped down upon and eradicated from the game, the East London side took it upon themselves to really make a name for themselves, and not in a good way.

With Spurs fans subject to Anti-Semitic abuse during the recent Europa League 0-0 draw with Lazio, the travelling Hammers fans continued the trait, while also signing “Viva Lazio” prior to kick-off. Not only is that incredibly insensitive, with a Spurs fan stabbed in the leg in the early hours of Thursday morning, but it’s also Forza, not Viva, you cretinous knuckle dragging Neanderthals.

Following the incidents in Rome, the FA unsurprisingly took it upon themselves to complain to the Italian equivalent about the treatment Spurs fans received. However, how will they respond when said incidents occur in their own back yard?

A hefty fine won’t just cut it. Neither will playing games behind closed doors. A points deduction would surely get through to the fans that if they act the way they do, the team will suffer the consequences.

It’s a shame that a minority of mindless thugs behaving in such a way has brought shame upon the club. But if the strictest possible measures are taken, the minority will soon keep their mouths shut, especially if it begins to affect West Ham itself. 

Follow @BenMcAleer1

Comments

[LB]

A points deduction? How is that fair?

I'm a West Ham fan and I can tell you that I, and the vast majority of our fans, are disgusted with the chanting that went on yesterday. It is in no way a reflection of us as a club, or a fan base. Those idiots that thought that was funny should be ashamed of themselves and banned from any football ground for life.

No doubt we will get a fine, as a club. That's all that can be done. It's not fair to seriously punish us as a club because a tiny minority of our supporters decided to take it too far and embarrass our club. The club can't control what goes on at other grounds or what our (or any) fans sing.

What's more, any punishment inflicted on us as a club will not stop these idiots doing it again, because they're not 'football fans', they are almost criminals.

As I said. I felt ashamed of what happened yesterday, but it was a small minority of what are excellent fans, from a community that houses different cultures and religions.

But a points deduction is not fair on the club, or 99% of the fans who would never dream of singing such things. Nor would it stop the same idiots doing it again.

[Carl]

Just wanted to repeat what has already said in the first comment and I hope that after the release of the official statement from WHU that lifetime bans are handed out to the gulity.

Can I ask if you will be writing an article about the Bobby Moore dying of cancer song that sung by the Spurs fans yesterday ? will you be asking for a points deduction for them aswell ??

[mike]

Bobby Moore dying of cancer song?! No such song exists...