- West Ham United are two points behind Tottenham Hotspur
- The Hammers remain in the relegation zone
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan claims Londoners should be cheering for West Ham over Spurs
The main subplot in this year’s Premier League is that one major London club will be relegated. Following the recent Premier League matchweek, which saw Arsenal beat West Ham United 1-0 and Tottenham Hotspur drop points at home with Leeds United, the Gunners are on their way to wrapping up the title race while their city rivals battle for top-flight status.
18th-place Irons are two points behind Tottenham with two matches remaining, and the close contest for the final safety place has drawn interest from all quarters.
Sadiq Khan claims Londoners should be cheering for West Ham
According to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Londoners should support West Ham over Spurs because taxpayers would face a £2.5 million charge if the East London team gets relegated.
This is because the Greater London Authority (GLA), which is funded by the public, pays for the game-by-game operation of the London Stadium, with the Hammers paying £4.4 million in rent each year. Furthermore, hosting 23 home matches in the second division, rather than 19 in the Premier League, would lead to higher stewarding costs.
“What I’d say to Londoners who don’t support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham,” Sir Khan told the Standard.
“The previous Mayor, Boris Johnson, did the worst deal that can be imaginable.
“As far as West Ham are concerned, as a deal of the century where he basically gave them rent free, this amazing stadium for 100 years.
“Now if [the Hammers] are relegated, we, the taxpayers, we City Hall, could lose up to 2.5m a year.
“So what I say to Londoners who don’t support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham, because the taxpayer will lose out if West Ham go down.”
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side face Newcastle United this Sunday, with Spurs playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the following Tuesday. If the Hammers were to lose and Spurs gain a result, it would effectively relegate West Ham, given the significance of the goal difference between the two sides.
