West Ham suspend youth coach who attended Democratic Football Lads Alliance march

Mark Phillips, who coaches West Ham’s U18s, attended a DFLA march in London last Saturday and later went on to defend the organisation, which has been accused of having links with the far-right

West Ham United have suspended one of their youth coaches pending an investigation into his association with the Democratic Football Lads Alliance.

Mark Phillips, who coaches West Ham’s U18s, attended a DFLA march in London last Saturday and later went on to defend the organisation, which has been accused of having links with the far right, in a series of tweets.

The anti-racism group Kick It Out subsequently reported Phillips’ association with the group to West Ham, which confirmed that it has since suspended the coach.

Saturday’s DFLA demonstration saw outbreaks of violence after anti-racist protestors attempted to block the group’s route, although there is no suggestion Phillips was involved in the disorder.

Phillips, in response to a man who said he was at the march, said on Twitter: "I was too. The football fans were sticking to the agreed route and Antifa chose to confront the march. They had their face covered up. We didn't. Ask yourself honestly who instigated the trouble??"

He added: "The police made a mistake by walking the peaceful football fans march into the aggressive Antifa group and not the other way round. Ask the police on duty for the truth.

"Who said they were far right? Not true. Football fans yes. Far right. Fake news. Admittedly there was a lot of ex-football hooligans there.

"But their behaviour was non aggressive until ambushed by people hell bent on causing trouble. No matter how people look it's their behaviour that counts. Ask your ex-colleagues the truth.

There were outbreaks of violence during Saturday's London march (Getty)

"The football fans were sticking to the agreed route and Antifa chose to confront the march. They had their face covered up. We didn't. Ask yourself honestly who instigated the trouble?? I can't comment I got the tube home from Embankment station and did not enter Parliament square. I only comment on things I actually witnessed."

West Ham declined to comment on the suspension but said it was an "inclusive club" that welcomed supporters regardless of gender, age, race, ability, religion or sexual orientation.

"We have a zero tolerance policy to any form of violent or abusive behaviour," said a club statement.

"We continue to protect and cherish those values and we remain committed to ensuring that every single member of the West Ham family feels safe, respected and included."

A Kick It Out spokesperson said: "We can confirm we've received a report about a West Ham coach claiming to have attended the DFLA rally. We have passed it on to the club and are liaising with them about the issue."