EPL side West Ham United has been accused of breaking FA "rules on discrimination" by the chair of the ladies' club, according to the BBC.
Stephen Hunt "has lodged a formal complaint with the FA after months of argument over funding and facilities." Hunt:
"West Ham need to be fined until they start to act like a 21st century club." In response, West Ham claimed Hunt has "threatened the club" and "refused to align" with its principles.
The club also said that it is "dedicated to equality in sport but the current arrangement with Hunt has not worked and they plan to take over the running of the women's team in due course."
Hunt claims the club has stopped his team from finding its own sponsors and says it is short on funds because it had to buy its own kit.
He alleges West Ham "promised a cheque to cover the costs but the money has not come through and the club have stopped answering their emails." Hunt: "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" (BBC, 10/3).
POLICE PRESENCE: In London, Matt Law reported West Ham United remains "hopeful that police will be deployed inside the London Stadium for this month’s potentially volatile League Cup clash against Chelsea, despite the fact a new radio system will not have been installed." Chelsea’s ticket allocation for the match "is still yet to be confirmed," but is expected to be in the region of 5,200 which presents a significant challenge for West Ham and the stadium operators, London Stadium 185. There has been "trouble inside and outside the London Stadium in the games against Bournemouth, Watford and, most recently, Middlesbrough when travelling fans reported being attacked on the way back to their coaches and three arrests were made." Stewarding "has been increased and improved in response, but the Metropolitan police force has said there must be police radio system in operation to deploy officers inside the stadium from kick-off." The Airwave radio system "was ordered in March, but will not be installed in time for the visit of Chelsea to the London Stadium" on Oct. 26 which has prompted West Ham, LS185 and the Metropolitan police to discuss temporary options.
West Ham is hoping that a temporary solution that will see police inside the London Stadium from kick-off "can be agreed upon with all parties recognising that the visit of Chelsea requires special attention" (TELEGRAPH, 10/3).
