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West Ham United's head of recruitment has been embroiled in a racism row after claims he said African players "cause mayhem".

Hammer's transfer chief Tony Henry reportedly sent out an email explaining that the club don't want any more players from the continent this transfer window.

West Ham currently have seven African players on their books - although Ghana's Andre Ayew left for Swansea on Wednesday.

Henry is said to have sent the message on January 27 after an inquiry about a Cameroonian footballer.

The Daily Mail, who claim to have a leaked copy of the email, say it was sent to another West Ham official and an agent.

In the email, Henry reportedly wrote: "We don’t want any more Africans and he’s not good enough."

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

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(Image: Arfa Griffiths)

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."

He then reportedly said he didn't believe that view was discriminatory towards African players.

(Image: Arfa Griffiths)

The paper then quote him as saying: "I just find with Russian players that they don’t settle in England. How many Italians come and settle in England? As a club we are not discriminatory at all."

Other African players at the club include Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal), Pedro Obiang (Equatorial Guinea), Joao Mario (Angola), Angelo Ogbonna (Nigeria) and Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo).

West Ham confirmed they had suspended Henry while an investigation is carried out.

A 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.”