West Ham sack director of player recruitment Tony Henry after transfer racism claim

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James Benge2 February 2018

West Ham have sacked director of player recruitment Tony Henry for telling an agent the club did not want to sign African players.

West Ham said in a statement on Friday: “West Ham United have today terminated the contract of Director of Player Recruitment, Tony Henry, with immediate effect following his unacceptable comments that were widely reported in the press.

“Our action follows a full and thorough investigation.

“West Ham United will not tolerate any type of discrimination.

“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 Football Association are still investigating Henry's comments to the Daily Mail.

Manager David Moyes said at a press conference on Friday that Henry’s comments were wrong and that West Ham have an open transfer policy.

“You can see the players we have signed the club has signed over the years, we sign good quality players, the best we can get, it doesn't matter where they are from,” Moyes said.

He added: “I don’t think there are many other clubs who have as many African players as West Ham, I think we’ve got as much as anybody, so, and I said that we tried to sign two on deadline day, I find it difficult to believe anyone could say we are not that we are a multinational team who sign good players, the best available.

“Over my time I’ve had good African players and bad African players - it’s just like having good Scottish players and bad Scottish players.”

Standard Sport understands that Henry chose not to attend the internal disciplinary meetings that led to him losing his job.

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