Mark Noble has pledged West Ham United’s support for the Premier League’s #NoRoomForRacism campaign.
The Hammers will back #NoRoomForRacism at Saturday’s fixture with Sheffield United at London Stadium, with an awareness video on the big screens, messaging on the perimeter board and in the Official Programme, as well as specially branded footballs, ball plinth and handshake board to help educate fans and promote effective self-policing.
Captain Noble, who has played with players of 49 different nationalities in a Claret and Blue shirt, said anyone intent on displaying their prejudice should stay away.
If you want to go to a game and racially abuse someone, if you’re the sort of person who could do that, just don’t bother coming here, because we’ve got no time for it
Mark Noble
“As a Club, West Ham are fully united behind the Premier League’s #NoRoomForRacism campaign,” he confirmed. “It’s something that gets highlighted at football in particular. I think emotions in people can come out in football, and it can show people for who they really are.
“If you want to go to a game and racially abuse someone, if you’re the sort of person who could do that, just don’t bother coming here, because we’ve got no time for it.
“In our game, there are so many different nationalities and cultures everywhere. To us, in the changing room, we stick together, and we do it as a Club as well.
“I don’t know if football will ever be able to completely get rid of racism, in all honesty, but we all just need to do as much as we can to ensure we’re not going to let it happen. That’s why I’m so happy that people are making a stand on it.”
Saturday’s match will also feature a Black History Month promotional video featuring Angelo Ogbonna, plus a pitchside discussion on the topic of racism in football with Christian Dailly and Marlon Harewood.
The Official Programme also includes an in-depth interview with Ogbonna, in addition to a feature focused on pioneering black Hammers Jack Leslie and John Charles.
For more information about #NoRoomForRacism, click here.
Visitors to London Stadium should note that the following acts are offences under the Football Offences Act 1991, as amended: the throwing of any objects within the stadium without lawful authority or excuse; the chanting of racist, anti-Semitic, Islamaphobic or homophobic nature; the entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful authority or excuse.
To report any offensive chanting or behaviour, please call or text 07860 404 069, report it to a steward or the police, or use the Kick It Out reporting app.
