West Ham United has passed on findings from an investigation into racist abuse directed towards Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah to the Metropolitan Police.
Salah was the subject of expletives and derogatory references to his Muslim faith from a supporter at London Stadium when the sides played out a 1-1 Premier League draw.
The abuse was audible on mobile phone footage, shot from the West Ham end, of Salah talking a corner, which was subsequently shared on social media.
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West Ham announced an internal investigation into the incident on Wednesday and has moved quickly to involve the authorities.
"After a thorough and immediate investigation following the abhorrent racist abuse aimed at Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah on Monday night, West Ham United can confirm that it has handed evidence to the Metropolitan Police," a club statement read.
"The club is unequivocal in its stance – such abuse will not be tolerated. There is no place or excuse for this kind of behaviour."
Speaking at a news conference earlier on Thursday, West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini called for any fans found guilty of racially abusing players to be banned from Premier League grounds.
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"Of course, I think that cannot happen in the stadium," he said. "The best way to manage those things out of the game is to remove them from the great spectacle that is the Premier League.
"We must have high standards and when this happens, you must take action. The club knows how to work and says it cannot accept these kind of things in the game.
"It was a very good game and everybody was enjoying the game, so these people must be punished as soon as we can."
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