A member of West Ham's 'Official Supporters' Board' has admitted to attending a march with the Democratic Football Lads Alliance - a group accused of Islamophobia and criticised by anti-racism campaigners.
Greg Smith, who attended the group's first meeting with vice-chairman Karren Brady last week, joined the controversial group on a march through the capital back in October.
He has also expressed his support for the DFLA, who were protesting against 'returning jihadists', 'thousands of Awol migrants', 'rape gangs and groomers' and 'veterans treated like traitors' according to their Facebook page.
Smith, a season ticket holder at the London Stadium, told The Guardian: 'I did attend the march in October – I'm opposed to acts of terrorism as a political means of effecting change and marched on that basis.'
He is among the 18 members who sit on the board that was started to try and overcome the underlying unrest over the decision to move away from Upton Park in 2016.
Last month West Ham reinstated academy coach Mark Phillips following an investigation into some of his social media posts. Smith has also not held back in his support of Phillips in the past.
In October he told The Sun: 'We were protesting about better treatment for homeless old soldiers as much as Islamic extremism.
'I don't know Mark Phillips but it makes him look like a condemned man before he has a fair trial. The suspension has been a big topic among a lot of West Ham fans who think it's too much, too soon.'
The club suspended Phillips in October after he attended the DFLA march through central London and later defended the group on Twitter. The planned demonstration from Park Lane to Whitehall descended into violence when anti-racism protesters attempted to block the DFLA's route.
West Ham launched an investigation due to concerns Phillips' social media posts may have broken club regulations and he was subsequently suspended.
It is understood the club's inquiry found there were not sufficient grounds for dismissing Phillips for breaching the Hammers' social media policy and bringing the club into disrepute.
But Phillips, who coaches West Ham's Under 18s, has been given a final warning over his conduct.
He will resume his coaching duties at the club after attending courses on discriminatory issues and bias, compulsory for all West Ham employees.
Phillips said he had attended the DFLA march and later defended the group on Twitter against claims it was 'far right' and to blame for violence with the police and anti-fascism protesters.
When asked whether it was appropriate for Smith to keep his place within the supporters' group, a West Ham spokesperson said: 'Members of the Official Supporters' Board are not appointed by the club but by an independent panel.
'The process was open and available to all supporters to apply and applications were anonymised and scored by an independent panel and representatives selected by them.
'The supporters receiving the highest score in each area were selected as a supporter representative. We do not comment on individual members.'
According to The Guardian, West Ham have already received a complaint from a fan about Smith's place on the board. A member of supporter services responded: 'Panel members were chosen based on their backgrounds within football, supporter experience or because they possessed great knowledge and passion for West Ham.'