West Ham have had to address their own supporters before their first home Championship game has even been played. A chant directed at new signing Manor Solomon — containing what the club described as an "anti-Palestine message" — was audible among away fans during last Sunday's 2-2 draw at Burnley. The club didn't hang around.
The chant in question appears to go: "Manor Solomon's on my mind and he hates Palestine." West Ham called it "offensive and divisive" and reminded supporters that every fan is an "ambassador" of the club. That's the kind of language clubs use when they're serious — not brushing something under the carpet before the cameras arrive.
A familiar problem following Solomon around
This isn't new territory for the 27-year-old. Leeds fans sang a near-identical chant during the 2024-25 season. In September 2025, while on loan at Villarreal, he heard "Israelis are murderers" from sections of the Sevilla crowd. And when he moved to Fiorentina in January, a local politician declared he was "not welcome in Florence" — remarks that generated significant backlash but didn't exactly create a warm welcome.
Solomon joined West Ham from Tottenham earlier this month on a three-year deal with an option for a fourth. He scored on his debut at Burnley. Within days, the club was issuing public statements about how he's being treated.
The Israeli Hammers — West Ham's Israeli supporter group — backed the club's stance fully, but didn't let the broader picture go unmentioned. "The amount of hostility and abuse, including antisemitic abuse, Manor has received online since signing for West Ham" is, they said, substantial. Their conclusion was pointed: "We also believe Manor should be treated first and foremost as what he is: a footballer."
What this means heading into Saturday
West Ham's Championship campaign is already carrying baggage most clubs don't have to deal with in August. They host Charlton Athletic at the London Stadium on Saturday, and the optics of their first home game being overshadowed by supporter conduct — rather than the football — is exactly what a club trying to rebuild doesn't need.
From a purely football standpoint, Solomon's price in goal scorer markets becomes awkward when the noise around him is consistently off-pitch. Whether that affects his form is another matter, but he's shown he can handle pressure — 49 international caps and a Championship title with Leeds suggests someone who doesn't crumble easily.
The Israeli Hammers' statement put it plainly: "Football should bring people together." West Ham have made their position clear. Now the stands have to follow.
