West Ham suspend director of player recruitment amid racism row involving African players

West Ham have announced the suspension of Tony Henry [Photo:Courtesy]

West Ham UnitedTop of FormBottom of Form have suspended director of player recruitment Tony Henry, after he became embroiled in a racism row over claims he said African players "cause mayhem".

Henry reportedly sent out an email on January 27 explaining that the club don't want to sign players from the continent this transfer window.

A West Ham spokesman said: “The Club can confirm that Director of Player Recruitment Tony Henry has been suspended pending a full and thorough investigation. West Ham United will not tolerate any type of discrimination and has, therefore, acted swiftly due to the serious nature of these claims.

“The West Ham United family is an inclusive one where, regardless of gender, age, ability, race, religion or sexual orientation, everybody feels welcome and included.

“The Club will make no further comment until the investigation has been concluded.”

West Ham currently have six senior players of African origin on their books, including Nigerian-born Italian international Angelo Ogbonna and new loanee Joao Mario, a Portuguese international of Angolan origin.

But according to the Daily Mail, who claim to have a leaked copy of the email, Henry sent to another West Ham official and an agent an email in which he reportedly wrote: "We don’t want any more Africans and he’s not good enough," over a potential recruit.

When confronted by the paper on whether there was any policy towards African players Mr. Henry originally said "no."

However, when pushed he is reported to have said: "It’s nothing racist at all. It’s just sometimes they can have a bad attitude.

"We find that when they are not in the team they cause mayhem. It’s nothing against the African race at all.

"It’s just sometimes they cause a lot of problems when they are not playing, as we had with Diafra (Sakho). He’s left, so great. It’s nothing personal at all."

Senegal striker Sakho left the club during the January transfer window to join French side Rennes, while Ghanaian Andre Ayew rejoined Swansea.

The Hammers are currently 12th in the Premier League, standing four points above the relegation zone