West Ham United have been reported to the Football Association over their alleged treatment of the women's team.

Stephen Hunt - chairman of West Ham United Ladies - has accused the club of failing to provide enough financial support.

He also claimed that a player was forced to wait five months for an operation on the NHS after the club failed to pay for surgery after she suffered a knee injury.

Hunt told BBC Sport: "West Ham need to be fined until they start to act like a 21st century club."

The chairman revealed that they were promised a cheque by the club to cover costs of buying their own kit, but the money has not appeared.

The Premier League outfit were also accused of prohibiting the women's team from using the club gym, which meant that the team had to train by the side of a road.

"I think West Ham have breached the underlying objectives of the FA to promote equality and grassroots football at all levels," he said.

"Initially, what I thought was a lack of interest I now understand is a positive intent by senior people at West Ham to block the growth of West Ham Ladies. It's beyond negligence, it is trying to starve us of any sort of funding."

In a statement published by the BBC, West Ham responded to the allegations by saying: "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. Mr Hunt has refused to align with West Ham's principles throughout his tenure as chairman and has, on a number of occasions, threatened the club.

"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. 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.

"As a result of this, women's football at West Ham United will become bigger, better and stronger, as we continue our commitment to the growth and development of the women's game, both on and off the pitch."

West Ham Ladies compete in the third tier of women's football - the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.