West Ham confirm departure of another senior club official following investigation unrelated to claims surrounding Tony Henry

Senior official left club after probe, admit West Ham
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Ken Dyer2 February 2018

West Ham have confirmed that a senior official left the club three months ago following an investigation but insisted that the matter was entirely unrelated to the allegations surrounding suspended director of recruitment Tony Henry.

Both the club and the FA are carrying out investigations following the publication of a leaked email to a senior club official and an agent, in which Henry is reported to have said: “We don’t want any more Africans.”

In a subsequent conversation with the Daily Mail, Henry allegedly said: “It’s nothing racist at all. It’s just sometimes they can have a bad attitude. We had problems with Diafra Sakho. We find that when they are not in the team they cause mayhem.”

In a statement, West Ham contend that they are an “inclusive, respectful and diverse football club”.

The Hammers have six players in their squad of African descent and attempted to bring in two more in Islam Slimani (Algeria) and Ibrahim Amadou (Cameroon) on deadline day. Senegal striker Sakho, who joined French club Rennes this week, had been in dispute with West Ham for some time.

However, former West Ham striker Carlton Cole, who was with the club for nine years, said in a statement that African players have always been made welcome at the club.

“Not many people have played for West Ham longer than me and African players have always been made most welcome by the fans and club,” he said. “In my nine years there it was fantastic — the fans and club have always judged players on their football ability, work ethic and loyalty. West Ham is a club that is proud of its diversity and has not tolerated discrimination during the whole time I played there.”

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