Former West Ham director Tony Henry has been banned from all football-related activity for a year over comments he made about African footballers. The FA charged Henry after he said the Hammers would not sign any more African footballers and that they “cause mayhem” when not in the team.
West Ham sacked him and said his comments were “unacceptable”. Henry, 60, admitted an FA misconduct charge of “improper and/or insulting and/or abusive” language. The governing body also made it clear it was an aggravated offence because it included a reference to ethnicity. He must also attend an FA education course.
A statement released by the FA read: “Tony Henry, former West Ham United FC Head of Player Recruitment, has been suspended from all football and football related activity for 12 months and must attend an FA education course.
“Mr Henry admitted a misconduct charge in relation to comments he made that were improper and/or insulting and/or abusive and included reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality.”
In January, the Daily Mail quoted Henry, who was a talent spotter at West Ham, as saying: “We had problems with Diafra Sakho.
“We find when they are not in the team they cause mayhem.”