Two men will appear in court in connection with an antisemitic incident involving West Ham fans on a plane at Stansted Airport.
Lee Carey, 55, of Brentwood Road, Romford, and Jak Bruce, 31, of Watchgate, Dartford, Kent, have been charged with causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, an offence under section 4A of the Public Order Act.
The pair have been released on bail ahead of their appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday April 12.
The charges relate to an incident on board a flight to Belgium from Stansted on November 4 last year.
A social media video showed West Ham fans flying to Belgium to watch their side play Genk in the Europa League chanting an anti-Semitic song at a Jewish man on an airplane. Three men were arrested.
It was filmed while the aircraft was still at the stand and passengers were taking their seats. In the clip, fans can be heard singing about arch rivals Tottenham, referencing genitalia and circumcision, while an Orthodox Jewish man walks down the aisle.
At the time, Chief Supt Tom Simons, who led the investigation, said: “Essex Police will not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind. Having been made aware of the incident, officers worked quickly to secure an arrest at the earliest possible opportunity.”
A West Ham spokesperson said: “West Ham United is appalled by the contents of the video circulating on social media and condemn the behaviour of the individuals involved.
“We continue to be unequivocal in our stance: we have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination. Any individuals identified will be issued with an indefinite ban from the club. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the football club and we do not welcome any individuals who do not share those values.”
