Stadium ban looms for West Ham supporter who taunted Jake Livermore

West Ham are expected to issue a stadium ban to one of their supporters if it is determined comments were made about the death of the baby son of West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore.

Stadium ban looms for West Ham supporter who taunted Jake Livermore

West Ham are expected to issue a stadium ban to one of their supporters if it is determined comments were made about the death of the baby son of West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore.

England international Livermore was substituted just after the hour during Tuesday's Premier League match at London Stadium and had to be escorted down the tunnel following the incident, which saw him move to confront a supporter in the area behind the West Brom bench.

West Brom issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying their player had been "subjected to general abuse from home supporters which he shrugged off," but also that Livermore acknowledged "he moved to confront one spectator who chose to make a comment about the death of his infant son."

West Ham acted quickly to eject the fan and are working with West Brom to determine whether the abuse directed was about the player's baby, who died in 2014.

The Football Association has also requested observations from all parties, which must be received by 6pm on Thursday.

Once the investigations are concluded, West Ham intend to take "appropriate action", and it is understood a stadium ban is under consideration.

"West Ham United can confirm that the individual involved in an altercation with Jake Livermore during Tuesday night's match against West Bromwich Albion was immediately identified and removed from London Stadium," a club spokesman said.

"After the game concluded, West Ham officials liaised with West Bromwich Albion, Jake Livermore himself and the Metropolitan Police to commence a full investigation into the incident.

"The player has confirmed (on Wednesday) he does not wish to make this a police matter.

"However, given the nature of the allegations, the club will continue to investigate before taking the appropriate action."

West Brom, meanwhile, have offered the ''total support of everyone at the club'' to Livermore.

"The club would like to think that all right-minded football supporters could understand this reaction which did not result in any physical exchanges before Jake was led away to our dressing room," the statement added.

"Jake is an outstanding young individual who has the total support of everyone at the club and he has made it clear he considers this statement to be an end to an unhappy incident."

West Ham were also praised for the way the matter was handled at the time, with West Brom "more than happy to leave any further action they deem appropriate in their hands", adding they had responded to the FA's request for observations, but would not be making any further comment.

Livermore joined West Brom from Hull on a four-and-a-half-year deal in January 2017 in a reported £10m move.

The former Tottenham midfielder tested positive for cocaine after Hull's Premier League win over Crystal Palace in April 2015 and played three further matches before being banned by the FA.

However, Livermore subsequently escaped a further suspension after the FA ruled the death of his new-born son during May 2014 was an overwhelming mitigating factor.

The midfielder was, though, ordered to undertake a course of rehabilitation and education, and was also the subject of target testing for a period of 12 months.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Republic of Ireland Training Session and Media Conference Ogbene ruled out for 'few weeks'
Chelsea v Leicester City - Barclays Women's Super League - Kingsmeadow Willie Kirk sacked as Leicester boss after position became ‘untenable’
St Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne - SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division Damien Duff: 'The leading light of Irish football is not the national team but the league itself'
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited