West Ham United football club has called on its supporters to stop singing a chant 'containing an anti-Palestine message' as it prepares for its first home game of the season in the Championship, England's second tier.

In a lengthy statement released on Thursday, the east London club said it was 'aware of an offensive and divisive chant' sung by a section of its fans during the season opener at Burnley on Sunday. The club did not specify the exact lyrics but condemned the chant as harmful.

One of West Ham's summer signings is Israeli winger Manor Solomon, who joined from Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year deal. His arrival has seemingly sparked tensions among some supporters, leading to the controversial chant.

'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,' West Ham said in the statement, aimed at 'reminding supporters of the responsibility we all hold to represent the club in the right way'.

West Ham, relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, hosts Charlton Athletic at the London Stadium on Saturday. The club's plea highlights ongoing sensitivities around geopolitical issues in football fan culture.

Source: www.aljazeera.com