Manuel Pellegrini has called on West Ham to punish any supporters responsible for abusing Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Footage has been widely shared on social media of Salah, the Egypt forward, being targeted by West Ham fans during Monday night’s Premier League draw.
Expletives can be clearly heard throughout the video, as well as comments against Salah’s Muslim religion.
West Ham confirmed they are investigating to identify those involved, with a club spokesperson confirming the east Londoners have ‘a zero tolerance policy to any form of violent or abusive behaviour’.
Pellegrini has echoed the club’s views, and urged them to take a no tolerance approach when it comes to dealing with the individual or individuals involved.
“Of course, I think that cannot happen in the stadium,” Pellegrini said in a press conference.
“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 happen, 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.”
West Ham’s draw with Liverpool blew the title race wide open, with Liverpool gaining just a single point on their closest rivals Manchester City. City have since moved ahead of the Anfield club, with Wednesday’s defeat of Everton taking Pep Guardiola’s side three points clear at the top of the table.