West Ham United are committed to tackling discrimination in whatever form it takes and will continue to promote events and campaigns throughout the year that highlight and combat prejudice towards individuals because of disability, race, sex, sexual orientation and religion.
West Ham United's stance of championing programmes promoting inclusion and tolerance has already been displayed at the start of 2013 through the backing of the Football v Homophobia campaign and their support of the annual Holocaust Memorial Day.
February is Football v Homophobia's month of awareness in connection with the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Month, and the club's support for their campaign has been in evidence again this week ahead of Monday's game against Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham United are also committed to act upon any isolated incidents of discriminatory behaviour from individuals at matches, both home and away.
In conjunction with the Metropolitan Police, the club operates a zero tolerance policy towards any form of discrimination, and any fan found to be acting inappropriately - including racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic behaviour - will be punished to the full extent of the law and banned from attending matches.
In a joint statement West Ham United Joint Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said: "We both feel it is hugely important that we are continuing our great work from 2012 that highlights discrimination in society today. We supported a number of key initiatives last year which we are continuing to build on throughout 2013.
"We firmly believe that West Ham United is a club that promotes fairness and inclusion and we want the Boleyn Ground to continue to be a place that people from all backgrounds feel welcome.
"We have made it very clear that we will not tolerate any form of discriminatory behaviour and one by one we will root out those fans that do not deserve to represent this great club of ours. We must be clear that we will pursue the harshest sanctions against any individual who goes against what we stand for as a club.
"It is obvious that the vast, vast majority of Hammers fans support the club in the right way and we are very grateful for the tremendous backing we receive from our supporters. However, in the rare case that supporters do see or hear anything they think is unacceptable, there are a number of ways they can report the matter.
"Two of the easiest ways are to speak to their nearest steward at the stadium or use the Boleyn Ground's anonymous fan phone number - 07860 404 069 - where all calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
"Everyone at West Ham United is looking forward to Monday's visit of Tottenham Hotspur. It should be a fantastic game of football, a wonderful opportunity to remember Bobby Moore - the greatest player to don the famous claret and blue - and a chance to show the world what being a Hammers fan is all about - supporting with pride, passion and respect."
Kick It Out Chairman Lord Herman Ouseley added: "Clubs have the power to show leadership and set an example for the vast majority of its supporters to follow and West Ham have done exactly that.
"Kick It Out has seen first-hand the appetite the club has in embracing anti-discrimination initiatives, with David Gold and James Tomkins both acting as campaign ambassadors in 2012. By doing this they're helping to send a message as to what is and what isn't acceptable.
"It is clear they feel abuse won't be tolerated and, in a period where the issue is high on the agenda, this approach is something we applaud."