West Ham Football Club has been accused of discrimination by the chairman of the women’s club.
Stephen Hunt, chairman of the women’s team has accused the club of discrimination against the team. Hunt told BBC Sport that West Ham “needs to be fined until they start to act like a 21st century club”.
He filed a formal complaint with the Football Association, following allegations that the club has failed to provide the team with adequate funding and facilities.
Hunt said: “I think West Ham have breached the underlying objectives of the FA to promote equality and grassroots football at all levels.
“Initially, what I thought was a lack of interest I now understand is a positive intent by senior people at West Ham to block the growth of West Ham Ladies. It’s beyond negligence, it is trying to starve us of any sort of funding.”
Hunt alleges that the club stopped his team from finding their own sponsors and have had to buy their own kit.
West Ham Ladies has survived on the goodwill and funding of fans. I am a fan who has had to lend the Ladies money because West Ham wouldn’t.
— Stephen Hunt (@ChairmanHuntJnr) October 3, 2016
The row includes claims that West Ham neglected to cover the costs, which it promised to do, and has since ignored email communication.
Hunt also said the women were forced to train by the roadside as the club has denied them access to gym facilities, nor could the team afford a physio, or transportation to matches.
The team, which plays in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division, had formerly been transferred to a third party to manage.
In response to Hunt’s claims, West Ham said in statement: “Supporting, nurturing and facilitating the women’s game is very important to West Ham United, a club with strong community principles and a dedication to equality in sport.
“The day-to-day management of West Ham United Ladies FC was transferred to a third party some time ago, and unfortunately it is an arrangement that has simply not worked.
“Mr Hunt has refused to align with West Ham’s principles throughout his tenure as chairman and has, on a number of occasions, threatened the club.
“The club have been working for some time on plans to take West Ham United Ladies FC ‘in house’ and, in light of Mr Hunt’s most recent deeply concerning comments, we will now be seeking to do so at the earliest opportunity.
“We will, of course, seek to maintain the current West Ham United Ladies FC squad personnel where possible, and provide them with the best possible support and management moving forward.
“As a result of this, women’s football at West Ham United will become bigger, better and stronger, as we continue our commitment to the growth and development of the women’s game, both on and off the pitch.”
