by Staff Writer
Friday, 30th May 2025
West Ham United have been hit with a huge £120,000 fine after the club admitted a charge of misconduct relating to the recent Premier League clash with Chelsea.
The Football Association had charged the club with "failing to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters) did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, indecent or insulting way with either an express or implied reference to sexual orientation."
And the charge was upheld earlier today by a regulatory commission chaired by Abdul S. Iqbal QC after the club admitted the charge - resulting in the huge fine.
Responding to the news, West Ham published a statement on their website. "West Ham United can confirm that the club has been sanctioned by the Football Association, following the conduct of supporters at the Premier League away fixture at Chelsea on Monday 3 February 2025," it read.
"Homophobic chanting, which in this case amounted to the commission of a criminal offence, is not consistent with the values and beliefs of West Ham United and the vast majority of the club’s supporters.
"The club has a zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory, abusive and insulting behaviour, and those identified will, in addition to any criminal charges they face, be issued with club bans.
"Anyone attending matches who does not share these values, does not share the values of West Ham United and risks putting the club in danger of facing further costly sanctions in future," it continued.
"The club has already set in motion tangible actions to review and strengthen existing initiatives to continue to be strategic and proactive in the prevention and detection of any potential discriminatory or inappropriate words or behaviour in the future, at both home and away fixtures."
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