LONDON: West Ham have sacked Tony Henry, their director of player recruitment, over claims he said the club would not sign any more African players.

Henry, who has previously worked for Everton, Sunderland and Chelsea, joined West Ham in 2014. He played professionally for several clubs, including Manchester City, Bolton and Oldham.

In a statement the club described his comments as “unacceptable” and that his contract had been terminated with immediate effect after a “thorough investigation.”

The Football Association is also investigating the matter.

Earlier this week the Daily Mail reported that Henry said African players “cause mayhem” when they are not in the team. The club responded by suspending Henry and insisting they would not tolerate any type of discrimination and had “therefore, acted swiftly due to the serious nature of these claims”.

The Professional Footballers’ Association has said it was “shocked” by the reported comments.

West Ham have six first-team squad members of African descent: Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang, Joao Mario, Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku and Edimilson Fernandes.

Senegal striker Diafra Sakho left the club in the January transfer window to join Rennes, with Ghana international Andre Ayew heading to Swansea.

West Ham are 12th in the Premier League, but only four points above the relegation zone.

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