Daily WHUFC News - 27th November 2012

Tottenham Hotspur update
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have released a further statement in relation to Sunday's
match at White Hart Lane
26.11.2012

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that five supporters were arrested during
Sunday's match at White Hart Lane outside of the stadium for unrelated
incidents and two more were cautioned for racially aggravated gesturing
inside the ground.

One of those fans has since been identified as a Season Ticket holder and
has, this afternoon, been sent a letter containing a banning order from the
club. Any other individuals identified can expect a similar swift and robust
response.

West Ham United statement

West Ham United are in contact with Tottenham Hotspur to assist them with
their investigation into the conduct of a small number of supporters and
alleged inappropriate chanting during yesterday's match at White Hart Lane.
West Ham United will take the strongest possible action against any of their
supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that are found
guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West Ham United.
During the 46 games in the Championship last season, West Ham United had
zero arrests for racism or violence, so while we are surprised to see such
reports today, we will examine any available evidence of such conduct
thoroughly and take the appropriate action.

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West Ham chief David Gold warns fans of racial taunts
By Frank Keogh
BBC Sport

West Ham's Jewish co-chairman David Gold says the club will have a "zero
tolerance" approach to any supporters found to have made anti-Semitic
taunts. Two Hammers fans have accepted a police caution, and one of them has
been given a lifetime ban from matches for gestures made at Tottenham on
Sunday. The West Ham chief's great grandfather committed suicide after
abusive taunts. Gold said: "We have a clear stance towards any kind of
discriminatory behaviour - it will not be tolerated."

West Ham's Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun said he was "embarrassed" by
some of the chanting at the game. The Football Association has said it will
hold an investigation after reports of anti-Semitic taunts during the 3-1
Premier League win for Tottenham, who have strong links with the Jewish
community. Police said the two fans were arrested inside White Hart Lane for
racially aggravated public order offences. It is understood they made
Nazi-style salutes. A complaint about abusive chanting has been made to
police, who will meet with the complainant before deciding whether to open a
formal criminal investigation.

Gold, who took over the east London club with David Sullivan nearly three
years ago, said: "David and I are leading an investigation from the top of
the club to establish exactly what happened at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
"If we can identify any individuals that have acted inappropriately they
will be sought out and banned by the club as part of our zero tolerance
policy. "At the same time we must remember that West Ham United has some of
the best fans in the land and we must not let the tens of thousands of
supporters that follow our club over land and sea in exactly the right way
be overlooked."

It has been reported that a section of the away support sang songs which
referenced Adolf Hitler, the German Nazi leader who ordered the mass murder
of six million Jews during the Holocaust of the 1930s and 1940s. Some West
Ham fans are also alleged to have taunted the home crowd about the stabbing
of Spurs fans in Rome last week. Gold said: "Like many of the people around
me in the directors' box at White Hart Lane I didn't hear or see any of the
reported inappropriate behaviour during Sunday's game with Tottenham. If I
had, then I'm sure I would have been mortified. "As a board we genuinely
believe we have some of the best supporters in the country and we will not
let a minority of fans, no matter how small, affect the reputation of our
great club. "We are a club that promotes tolerance and inclusion of people
from all backgrounds, race and religion. Just a quick look around our
boardroom table would tell you that."
The 76-year-old's great grandfather was found hanged around the turn of the
20th Century after surviving persecution in Poland but being "driven to
despair" by anti-Semitism in England. "I am very proud of my Jewish heritage
and have always been made to feel welcome at West Ham since I started
watching them as a young boy back in the 1950s," said Gold. "That wasn't
always the case growing up in the East End and I know first-hand how
difficult dealing with prejudice can be, which is why I feel so passionately
about promoting inclusion in society today."

Benayoun, 32, who is on loan from Chelsea, said a minority of fans were to
blame at Tottenham and that the FA and West Ham would "do everything to find
and punish them". He added on his Twitter page: "I have a great
relationship with the West Ham United supporters, from my first spell at the
club and again now I am back on loan here. "This is why I was very
disappointed to hear some of the songs and it was embarrassing."

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West Ham chanting claims: fan banned after arrest at Spurs
BBC.co.uk

Two West Ham fans were arrested and accepted a police caution for
anti-Semitic gestures during Tottenham's 3-1 win at White Hart Lane on
Sunday. One of the fans, a season ticket holder, has been given a lifetime
banning order by the east London club. The two supporters were cautioned for
racially-aggravated public order offences, police said. It is understood
they made Nazi-style salutes. Five arrests, not directly linked to taunts at
Spurs fans, were also made. Some of West Ham's fans are alleged to have
mocked Tottenham supporters, who traditionally have strong ties with
London's Jewish community. Police have also received a complaint about
chanting from a section of West Ham supporters by the Society of Black
Lawyers. They will meet the complainant before deciding whether to launch a
formal criminal investigation. The FA said it had begun an investigation
into "reports of abusive chanting".

West Ham said the club would take the "strongest possible action against
any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that
are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West
Ham". "Any other individuals identified can expect a similar swift and
robust response."

A Tottenham spokesman said: "We are currently compiling a full report for
the Football Association and shall be submitting this with all our evidence
including relevant CCTV footage."

After Tottenham ended a three-game Premier League losing streak with
Sunday's win, both managers were cautious about reacting to reports of the
chanting.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: "I don't want to be a political animal
- I'm here to talk about football and not what fans are saying and singing."
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas did not want the issue to detract from
his side's best home performance of the season. He said: "You know the
animosity there is between Tottenham and West Ham and as long as it doesn't
reach stupidity it is a great, great rivalry of two London clubs."

Tottenham Supporters' Trust chairman Bernie Kingsley said: "There are an
awful lot of decent people who go to watch West Ham and it is unfair to
punish the majority of supporters [by playing games behind closed doors] for
an act undertaken by a relatively small number. "The much easier solution
would be to reduce the allocations or not allow supporters from those clubs
to go to away games."

West Ham supporter Graeme Howlett, who edits the Knees Up Mother Brown
website, said: "There is a line some people are willing to cross at football
grounds. It happens everywhere. Unfortunately, it happened at White Hart
Lane yesterday and some West Ham supporters were involved. But I must stress
it was a tiny minority. "There was a report of a song about Adolf Hitler and
I have spoken to at least two dozen fans who were there and of the 2,800
allocation, rough estimates put the number singing that at 20."

The Board of Deputies of British Jews issued a statement and plan to write
to the FA urging them to punish anyone found guilty of anti-Semitic chants
at the game, saying there was "either a lack of understanding or a lack of
compassion within some sections of the British football world about these
issues". Spurs fans were also allegedly subjected to anti-Semitic abuse
during their 0-0 draw with Lazio in the Europa League on Thursday. Two
Italians have been charged with attempted murder after Tottenham supporter
Ashley Mills was stabbed before the game in Rome.

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Our own worst enemy
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th November 2012
By: Kit Robinson

So, another defeat at White Hart Lane and some more abusive chanting from
West Ham fans. What is the effect of such behaviour upon the other West Ham
fans, the performance of the team, the public perception of the club? Is
there a financial knock on effect to the club and the fans because of this
behaviour?

Once again a minority of our fans have let all of us down. The club will
probably be investigated yet again, financially punished yet again,
castigated yet again. And where does the money come from? Out of all of our
pockets. Just as we are currently hoping to invest in a world class stadium
we are making ourselves look like we simply don't have the class or deserve
to move up in the world.

Whether you want the club to move into the Olympic Stadium or not, such
chanting only has the knock on effect of making the club unpopular to
business, to sponsors, to television etc. Or is there really no reason for
sponsors to drop the likes of Lance Armstrong or steer clear of the likes of
Jimmy Savile? But I bet these so called fans will still be the first to moan
that we can't afford decent players or complain about the cost of tickets,
when it is their stupidity that in the long run costs us all money.

I witnessed myself anti-semitic chants at a pre-season friendly a few
seasons ago and was frankly embarrassed. I have no religious beliefs but
it's just not funny, it would be intimidating if I were Jewish. But we were
playing Hampton and Richmond!

I know that the Spurs fans themselves refer to the Jewish elements of their
club but it is only our own fans' crass stupidity to copycat fascist Lazio
fans and make all of us look like idiots. I do not hold these views or think
they are amusing so it shouldn't be assumed that I do just because I support
West Ham. And does anyone have to be told that in so many ways, referring to
a fan being stabbed is wrong?

We look pretty pathetic to have to resort to abuse when we are frankly not
as good as the opposition. Booing Defoe, the chants, all they do is fire up
them up so we're on a hiding to nothing. I'm hardly the most PC of people
myself but when i see that our taunting is helping us lose games then i'd
prefer it to stop, thanks.

We end up looking like a bunch of idiotic losers. I know we have a rivalry
with Spurs but let's start making sure that we do our talking on the pitch
not off it. And if that doesn't happen, then take it like men and come back
to fight another day and not look like kids jealous of the next door
neighbours' better Christmas presents.

No doubt as with the clashes with Millwall fans in the past and claims that
it was opposition fans fault or the police, someone will claim this was
somehow someone else's fault. If you want to make a fascist statement then
stay at home and write a book about it, Hitler did pretty good business with
Mein Kampf.

If you're such a hero anti-semite, go and help Hamas in the Gaza Strip, or
is the fact you'll be fighting with Islamists too difficult to contemplate?
Don't go to a match and hide behind other fans and chant your racist bile
when we don't support your views and everyone loses out because of it. It is
cheap thrills for people with no convictions. You're not doing it in my
name.

I know that there are fans that will disagree with me but even if only for
financial and performance reasons, let's knock this on the head and give it
a miss. We take a great pride in the fact that we were one of the first
clubs with black players, even one of our most famous fans was black.

Or would we rather do without the likes of Yossi Benayoun? Or is it all ok
with him because he is OUR Jewish player? This kind of ignorant attitude is
from the past. As with the Olympic stadium we need to start having a modern
attitude for the greater good of everything to do with the club or remain as
relics of the past.

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Yossi's disappointment
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th November 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United's on-loan midfielder Yossi Benayoun has expressed his
disappointment after a number of West Ham fans were accused of anti-semitic
chanting at White Hart Lane yesterday. The 32-year-old, who is back at West
Ham for the season is currently injured and therefore didn't feature in
yesterday' s3-1 defeat. However speaking via his feed on Twitter tonight,
the Israeli international admitted that he had been deeply upset by reports
of the inappropriate chanting. "I have a great relationship with the West
Ham United supporters, from my first spell at the club and now I am back on
loan here," he said. "I was very disappointed to hear some of the songs
yesterday, it was embarrassing. "But we need to remember that it was made by
a minority group of fans and I'm sure the FA, together with West Ham United
football club will do everything to find and punish them."

Meanwhile West Ham have confirmed that one season ticket holder has already
been given a lifetime ban having been identified as on the the 20 opr so
supporters responsible for anti-semitic chanting. The Football Association
released a statement earlier in the day stating that they would be
investigating the reports along with the help of both clubs involved. "The
FA Governance Department has this morning contacted both clubs and will
continue to make enquiries into the matter in the coming days," it read. "We
note the statement issued by West Ham United FC and encourage Clubs to
identify and ban for life any individuals involved in incidents of abusive
chanting."

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Root them out
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 26th November 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United insists that it will introduce life bans for any fans
involved in inappropriate chanting at White Hart Lane during yesterday's
Premier League clash with Tottenham. A small pocket of individuals present
in the away end - estimated to be around 20-30 in number, or 0.7 per cent of
the 2,800 travelling contingent at the game - were involved in anti-semitic
chanting towards the end of the match, which the home side won 3-1. However
eye-witness reports suggest that claims of widespread 'hissing' noises -
said to represent gas chambers - are wide of the mark and were actually
'shushing' noises, aimed at the home fans due to their relative silence.

In a statement released this morning, West Ham United confirmed that it will
do all it can to root out those individuals who brought shame on the club
and the vast majority of impeccably-behaved supporters present at the match.
"West Ham United are in contact with Tottenham Hotspur to assist them with
their investigation into the conduct of a small number of supporters and
alleged inappropriate chanting during yesterday's match at White Hart Lane,"
it read. "West Ham United will take the strongest possible action against
any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that
are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West
Ham United. "During the 46 games in the Championship last season, West Ham
United had zero arrests for racism or violence, so while we are surprised to
see such reports today, we will examine any available evidence of such
conduct thoroughly and take the appropriate action."

White Hart Lane: the truth

Number of individuals estimated to have sung 'Forza/Viva Lazio' chant: ½-¾
(50-75%)

Number of individuals estimated to have sung Hitler-related chant: 20-30
(0.07%)

Number of individuals estimated to have made 'hissing' noises: negligible
(if any)

* Research involved personal accounts of around 25 fans (and rising) present
at the game. Figures in parentheses refer to total away allocation of 2,800.

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FA and police investigate alleged anti-Semitic chants by West Ham fans at
Tottenham
Last Updated: November 26, 2012 5:56pm
SSN

The Football Association and the Metropolitan Police are investigating
alleged anti-Semitic chants by West Ham supporters during Sunday's defeat at
Tottenham.
Five Hammers fans were arrested at White Hart Lane and a further two were
cautioned for displaying Nazi salutes, one of which was a season-ticket
holder that West Ham have now banned for life. A West Ham statement read:
"Five supporters were arrested outside of the stadium for unrelated
incidents and two more were cautioned for racially aggravated gesturing
inside the ground. "One of those fans has been identified as a season ticket
holder and has been sent a letter containing a banning order from the club.
Any other individuals identified can expect a similar swift and robust
response."

The away supporters also taunted the home side over the attacks on Spurs
fans ahead of their Europa League clash at Lazio on Thursday, in which one
man was stabbed. An FA statement read: "The FA governance department
contacted both clubs and will continue to make enquiries into the matter.
"We note the statement issued by West Ham and encourage clubs to identify
and ban for life any individuals involved in incidents of abusive chanting.
"There is no place for anti-Semitism or any form of discrimination in
football. The FA is committed to playing our part in addressing this
unacceptable behaviour."

The FA will liaise with the police during their investigations, and West Ham
and Tottenham will also join forces as they compile reports into the
unsavoury scenes. A Spurs club spokesman said: "We are currently compiling a
full report for the Football Association and shall be submitting this with
all our evidence including relevant CCTV footage. An earlier statement
issued by West Ham read: "We are in contact with Tottenham to assist them
with their investigation into the conduct of a small number of supporters
and alleged inappropriate chanting during the match. "We will take the
strongest possible action against any of the supporters, including enforcing
life bans from the club, if found guilty of behaviour which is categorically
not condoned by West Ham United."

Peter Herbert, the chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers, had earlier
confirmed that an official complaint had been lodged with the police, while
anti-racism group Kick It Out are also looking into the affair.

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Yossi Benayoun 'embarrassed' by the behaviour of West Ham fans at Tottenham
Last Updated: November 27, 2012 5:58am
SSN

Yossi Benayoun has condemned the West Ham fans who directed offensive abuse
towards Tottenham supporters during Sunday's Premier League clash. The
Israeli international admitted he felt disappointed and embarrassed by the
actions of the Hammers fans at White Hart Lane. The Football Association and
the police are investigating alleged anti-Semitic abuse which resulted in
the arrest of two West Ham fans, one of which has now been banned for life
by the club.
The visiting supporters are also alleged to have mocked the knife attack on
a Spurs fan before Tottenham's game in Rome last week. And Benayoun,
currently in his second spell at Upton Park on loan from Chelsea, has lashed
out at the Hammers fans' behaviour. "I have a great relationship with the
West Ham United supporters, from my first spell at the club and again now I
am back on loan here," said Benayoun on Twitter. "This why I was very
disappointed to hear some of the songs and it was embarrassing."

A club statement said: "West Ham will take the strongest possible action
against any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the
club, that are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned
by West Ham."

The chants from a section of West Ham supporters have been reported to the
police by the Society of Black Lawyers. Tottenham will be submitting video
evidence as part of their report to the FA. A club spokesman said: "We are
currently compiling a full report for the Football Association and shall be
submitting this with all our evidence including relevant CCTV footage."

The Community Security Trust (CST), a charity that monitors anti-semitism,
said it has received complaints from people in the Jewish community
following the Spurs match, including from people who were at the game. CST
spokesman Mark Gardner said: "The days of English football crowds making
massed monkey noises are thankfully gone, but massed anti-Semitic chanting
about Hitler and gassing was clearly heard from a loud section of West Ham
fans. We have heard such abuse against Spurs before and it risks seriously
compromising the work against racism at all levels of the game."

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James Tomkins insists West Ham must not dwell on the Tottenham defeat
Last Updated: November 26, 2012 5:19pm
SSN

James Tomkins insists West Ham must quickly forget the disappointment of the
Tottenham defeat as they prepare for a daunting trip to Old Trafford. The
Hammers missed the chance to regain a top six spot in the Premier League
after slipping to a 3-1 loss against Spurs, but Tomkins does not want this
result to upset team morale following their fine early season form. Leaders
Manchester United are next up for the east Londoners on Wednesday and the
defender admits the players must approach this match with the confidence of
a high flying side if they are going to pull off a result. He said: "We
didn't play at our best but we need to put it behind us quite quickly
because we have another big game at Manchester United in a couple of days'
time and the games are coming thick and fast. "We don't need to dwell on the
result because we have the points on the board and it's vital we go to Old
Trafford with our confidence intact. "We have to make sure we go to
Manchester United 100% mentally."

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FA to investigate anti-Semetic chanting made by West Ham fans on Sunday
Last Updated: November 26, 2012 3:05pm
SSN

The Football Association is set to investigate the controversial chanting
made by West Ham fans during their Premier League match against Tottenham on
Sunday. Some Hammers' fans made a number of abusive chants including 'Viva
Lazio', which was a reference to physical attacks on a number of Tottenham
supporters during their visit to Rome in midweek. One Spurs fan was taken to
hospital with serious injuries in Italy after being stabbed. The FA is now
set to launch an investigation into the chants and is due to speak to the
Metropolitan Police as well as both clubs, Sky sources have said. In
anti-semitic chanting, some Hammers fans appeared to mock the gassing of
Jews during the Holocaust of World War Two. In other chanting, supporters
sang 'Can we stab you every week?' while also mentioning the name 'Adolf
Hitler'. Spurs won the match at White Hart Lane 3-1.

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The Thugs Must Be Found and Banned
By Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die

A small but vocal minority of West Ham supporters have brought shame on our
great club. The obscenities chanted by them at Spurs go way beyond the
normal banter which away fans deal out to a home crowd. They were sick,
racist and totally unacceptable. It's no good anyone associated with West
Ham denying any of this took place - there are too many people who are
reporting it for it not to be true. It's not just Spurs fans who are rightly
horrified, but West Ham supporters who were there are professing their shame
and embarrassment.

Two of the worst things heard were

"Adolph Hitler's coming to get you"

"Can we stab you every week?"

This was a reference to the stabbing of the Spurs fans in Rome this week.
Totally and utterly sick. Ah, say some, but Spurs fans were equally abusive.
I can well believe it. After my only visit to White Hart Lane I vowed never
to return, having found the atmosphere totally hostile and been horrified by
some of the things said by Spurs fans. And as The Lord comments in a
previous post...

Can someone remind me how Tottenham fans wanted Sol Campbell to die? Was it
AIDS or by hanging from a tree?

But two wrongs do not make a right. Spurs can deal with their problems, but
we must deal with ours. It's not for the FA to take action, it's for West
Ham to identify the sick culprits and then ban them. So I was pleased to
read this statement on the club website...

West Ham United are in contact with Tottenham Hotspur to assist them with
their investigation into the conduct of a small number of supporters and
alleged inappropriate chanting during yesterday's match at White Hart Lane.
West Ham United will take the strongest possible action against any of their
supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that are found
guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West Ham United.
During the 46 games in the Championship last season, West Ham United had
zero arrests for racism or violence, so while we are surprised to see such
reports today, we will examine any available evidence of such conduct
thoroughly and take the appropriate action.

But let's not pretend that these problems are confined to any one club. I
gather last Monday Stoke fans were chanting terrible stuff making fun of
Bobby Moore's death. We really do not want to see a return to the bad old
days. Clubs must grip this problem before it gets out of control.

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Hammers face rap over vile chants
The Sun
Published: 26th November 2012

TWO West Ham fans have been cautioned by police after singing sick
anti-Semitic chants at Tottenham yesterday. They were arrested during the
game at White Hart Lane and accepted cautions, cops have revealed. The east
London club is facing an FA probe over the racist jeers. Several Hammers'
supporters were heard singing: "Adolf Hitler, he's coming for you", and were
heard hissing during the 3-1 defeat at Spurs, who have a large Jewish
fanbase. They also taunted Spurs with Lazio songs in reference to stabbings
last week ahead of the Europa League clash in Rome. Just four days after
Ashley Mills was knifed in Rome, fans were heard singing "Viva Lazio", and
"Can we stab you every week?". Supporters also hissed on several occasions,
apparently mocking the mass execution of Jews during the Second World War.

An FA spokesman confirmed this afternoon that it will launch a formal
investigation into the chanting. West Ham have said they will take the
"strongest possible action" against any supporters found guilty of
inappropriate chanting - including the enforcement of life bans. A club
statement said: "West Ham United are in contact with Tottenham Hotspur to
assist them with their investigation into the conduct of a small number of
supporters and alleged inappropriate chanting during yesterday's match at
White Hart Lane. "West Ham United will take the strongest possible action
against any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the
club, that are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned
by West Ham United. "During the 46 games in the Championship last season,
West Ham United had zero arrests for racism or violence, so while we are
surprised to see such reports today, we will examine any available evidence
of such conduct thoroughly and take the appropriate action."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Two men were arrested during
the football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham on Sunday November
25 on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. "The men
accepted a police caution." Hammers boss Sam Allardyce said: "They shouldn't
be doing things like that but it's the least of my worries at the moment.
I'll wait to hear it myself and make a comment after I've listened. "I don't
hear what the fans say or do when I'm concentrating as a manager on a game
of football." Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas called for action after Lazio
fans also sang anti-Semitic chants — but he did not want yesterday's
incidents to take the gloss off his team's win. He said: "I prefer not to
mar the performance with the situation like this.

ALLARDYCE refuses to comment on anti-Semitic chants from Hammers' fans which
marred clash with Spurs "We know the animosity between Tottenham and West
Ham. As long as it doesn't reach stupidity, it is a great rivalry between
two London clubs." Ashley, 25, was stabbed and nine others injured when Nazi
hooligans armed with knives, clubs, knuckle-dusters, rocks and tear gas
struck the bar where they were drinking. The fascist thugs, known as Ultras,
ruthlessly targeted Spurs because of their historic Jewish links. Ashley
nearly bled to death after a knife severed an artery at the top of his
thigh. Two Italians have been charged in connection with the attack.
Meanwhile Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws was forced to apologise today after
saying his team's defending was "as bad as the Holocaust" following a 4-0
defeat to Doncaster. He told the club website: "I would like to apologise.
The use of the word was not intended to cause offence and was used in the
heat of the moment. "It was a poor choice of language to define those
emotions and wasn't meant in the true meaning of the word."

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Yossi's pain
By PAUL JIGGINS
Last Updated: 27th November 2012
The Sun

YOSSI BENAYOUN has revealed his anger at some West Ham fans for their
anti-Semitic chants. The Israeli said on Twitter: "I've a great relationship
with the supporters. This is why I was very disappointed to hear some of the
songs yesterday and it was embarrassing." Benayoun, who initially played for
the Hammers from 2005-2007, is back at the club on loan. The FA says it is
'highly likely' to launch a probe into chants by West Ham fans during their
team's 3-1 defeat at Tottenham on Sunday. They taunted Spurs — who have a
tradition of Jewish support — with: "He's coming for you, Adolf Hitler, he's
coming for you." The travelling supporters also sang about the stabbing of
Tottenham fans in Rome last week.

West Ham yesterday banned one season ticket holder who was arrested at the
game for racist behaviour — FOR LIFE. And they have vowed to dish out the
same punishment to any more of their followers found guilty of bad
behaviour. A club statement said: "Any other individuals identified can
expect a similar robust response. "We are in contact with Tottenham to
assist them with their investigation into the conduct of a small number of
supporters and alleged inappropriate chanting."

A Spurs spokesman said: "We are compiling a report for the FA and shall be
submitting this with all our evidence including CCTV footage."

Graeme Howlett, who edits the Knees Up Mother Brown website, said: "The
majority of West Ham fans went there and supported their team in the proper
fashion. They were let down by a tiny minority."

New QPR boss Harry Redknapp — who managed both Spurs and West Ham — said:
"It's happening more and more, we all hear it. It's disgusting."

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Carroll: It was about time I scored
The Sun
Published: 26th November 2012

ANDY CARROLL admits it was about time he broke his West Ham duck. Carroll
headed home Joey O'Brien's cross in Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Tottenham to end
his 1,062-minute Premier League goal drought. The £35million man had been
brought in on loan to provide the firepower for the Hammers, but manager Sam
Allardyce has instead had to rely on Kevin Nolan for goals this season. And
now Carroll is finally off the mark he hopes he can repeat the feat against
Manchester United and Chelsea on Wednesday and Saturday respectively. He
said: "It was about time, to be honest. "I'm just grateful to have got off
the mark and hopefully there will be more to come this week. "I think I've
put myself about and been involved in our goals in previous matches. "I
think I've been doing well so it was about time one went in. "It was a great
ball in by Joey O'Brien and I just had to get up and head it across the
keeper. That's what I did and thankfully it went in."

Despite Carroll's failure to find the net, West Ham have exceeded all
expectations so far this season and currently sit eighth in the table. But
they were easily outclassed by a rampant Spurs side, who coasted to victory
thanks to a Gareth Bale strike and a brace from former Hammer Jermain Defoe.
Defoe was allowed to open the scoring in a marvellous solo effort that saw
him go unchallenged from near the half-way line. West Ham's defence then
backed off Clint Dempsey, which allowed him to tee up Bale for Spurs'
second. Defoe wrapped up the win by tapping home into an empty net following
a swift counter-attack that started after West Ham were dispossessed on the
halfway line. Carroll was unhappy with how his team wilted but insisted they
should not dwell too much on the defeat. He said: "It was disappointing as
we made mistakes for all three of their goals, really. "We should have done
better, but they have taken their chances and obviously beat us. "We have
got a tough week with Manchester United and then Chelsea and Liverpool
coming up. It'll be tough so we just have to put this behind us now and
focus on Wednesday. "This game is all gone now so we're going to have to
concentrate 100 per cent on Wednesday, which is going to be another tough
game."

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