West Ham: 'Homophobic flyers' at Chelsea game investigated

Claims that homophobic anti-Chelsea song sheets were distributed at West Ham's London Stadium are being investigated.

Hammers fan Nadeem posted an image of one of the flyers, urging fans to sing homophobic lyrics about Chelsea captain John Terry, on social media.

Nadeem told BBC Radio 5 live that the leaflets were being handed out before the home side's 2-1 EFL Cup win.

"It was quite idiotic and a bit disgusting," he said.

Nadeem told BBC Radio 5 live's Afternoon Edition that the song sheets seemed to be being handed out by "one person being moronic" and said no fans were singing the chant.

BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent Richard Conway, who was at the game, said he heard no evidence of homophobic chanting.

The match was marred by crowd disorder with the police making seven arrests.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said its investigation into the disturbances will include "a leaflet handed out before the match containing homophobic contents".

West Ham told BBC Sport it was "investigating the alleged distribution of these flyers" and would "take the strongest possible action against those responsible".

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said it had "received reports of homophobic literature being distributed" and had reported it to the Football Association, which is also investigating.

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Nadeem said most fans were "ignoring" the man with the leaflets and said the "overall response has been of disgust and disapproval".

On Wednesday, a BBC Radio 5 live survey found 8% of football fans would stop watching their team if they signed a gay player, although 82% said they would welcome a gay player at their club.

It followed FA chairman Greg Clarke's comments that he "wouldn't recommend" a gay footballer coming out "at the moment" because they would risk "vile abuse" from a "small minority on the terraces".

He said the sport could not yet offer the "required protection" and the FA needs to "redouble its efforts to provide that safe space".

Afternoon Edition's guest editor - Britain's first openly gay rugby league player Keegan Hirst, who plays for Wakefield - said Clarke's comments were "negative and old-fashioned".