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West Ham United accused of sex discrimination by Hammers' Ladies club chairman
Languishing in the English Premier League relegation zone, West Ham United Football Club have another big issue on their hands: they've been accused of sex discrimination by the chairman of their own ladies' club.
Last October, West Ham Ladies' captain Stacey Little left the team after being "treated disgustingly" by the club following a suspension "for having an opinion as a captain" and this is only the latest blight against the Londoners.
According to BBC Sport, West Ham ladies' chairman Stephen Hunt has lodged a formal complaint with the English Football Association after "months of argument over funding and facilities." Among the grievances, according to Hunt, the Hammers' ownership has stopped his team from finding their own sponsors, and that the team had to pay for their own kits.
Hunt alleges West Ham promised to cover the costs but the money hasn't shown up, and the club aren't answering their emails. In his complaint, Hunt also claims his team are forced to train by the side of a road as West Ham will not let them use the gym.
Hunt says the team cannot afford a trainer or even a team bus to take them to matches, and that the team are playing in last season's home kit, with the names of last season's players crossed out on the back.
West Ham have responded with an official statement, claiming that "supporting, nurturing and facilitating the women's game is very important" and that they are "a club with strong community principles and a dedication to equality in sport."
In the statement, the club also shifted blame towards Hunt, claiming that he "refused to align with West Ham's principles throughout his tenure as chairman and has, on a number of occasions, threatened the club. The day-to-day management of West Ham United Ladies FC was transferred to a third party some time ago and unfortunately it is an arrangement that has simply not worked."
"The club have been working for some time on plans to take West Ham United Ladies FC 'in house' and, in light of Mr. Hunt's most recent deeply concerning comments, we will now be seeking to do so at the earliest opportunity," the statement continued. "We will, of course, seek to maintain the current West Ham United Ladies FC squad personnel where possible, and provide them with the best possible support and management moving forward."
Hunt, in response, disputed the statement and denied he has ever threatened the club.
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