London Euro-MP welcomes West Ham racism inquiry

5.18.26pm GMT Tue 6th Mar 2007

London's Liberal Democrat MEP and vice-chair of the European Parliament's Anti-Racism and Diversity 'Intergroup' has welcomed the decision by the Metropolitan Police to investigate racist chants made by some West Ham supporters during Sunday's game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Baroness Ludford last year signed a European Parliament 'written declaration' calling on football leagues, clubs, players and supporters to speak out against racism in the game, and asking that the European football body UEFA and other competition organisers instruct referees that they have the option of stopping or abandoning matches in the event of serious racist abuse.

She said:

"I welcome the decision by the Metropolitan Police to investigate anti-semitic and other racist chanting by West Ham supporters during last Sunday's match against Spurs. This is a matter not only for the club, but potentially also for the criminal law if it amounts to incitement to racial hatred."

"I am in fact concerned that the stewards failed to intervene to put a stop to the chanting, despite the existence of clear guidelines on dealing with this kind of incident."

"Euro-MPs last year sent a very strong message that racism is no more acceptable on the football pitch than it is anywhere else. Football's popularity and prestige makes it essential that any racist incidents are thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators robustly dealt with."