West Ham have urged supporters not to sing their Manor Solomon chant – which contains anti-Palestine lyrics – ahead of their first home game of the season.
The Hammers signed the Israeli international, who scored on his debut against Burnley on Sunday, from Tottenham Hotspur for £5million.
During the game, a section of West Ham fans were then heard singing ‘Manor Solomon is on my mind and he hates Palestine‘ in relation to the Israel-Gaza war, to the tune of the 1963 hit song ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ made famous globally by the British band Manfred Mann.
Some Leeds United fans sung the same chant while Solomon was on loan at the club in 2024-25.
While the chant does not fall under the Metropolitan Police‘s threshold for tragedy chanting and the FA are unlikely to act, West Ham have been proactive and have issued a statement condemning the chant before their home game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
A club statement said: ‘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.
Manor Solomon joined West Ham from Tottenham for £5million this summer
A section of West Ham fans sang: ‘Manor Solomon is on my mind and he hates Palestine’
‘And we remain committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe, respected and included.
‘The Club is aware of an offensive and divisive chant, containing an anti-Palestine message, being sung by a section of away supporters during our opening EFL Championship match at Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
‘We understand that singing and chanting is a traditional and deeply-embedded part of the matchday 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.
‘Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the club and we believe in the power of football to unite and bring people together.
‘We expect those who represent the Club – be that players, staff, officials or supporters – to share those values and ensure that, regardless of individual backgrounds or beliefs, we are as our name says: United.
‘Let’s make sure our support is something to be proud of, and the envy of all who face us.’
Solomon has won 49 caps for Israel since making his debut in 2018 and completed national service in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).
He has previously shared posts on his social media account which appear to condone the ongoing conflict.
