West Ham seek assurances as UEFA launch investigation into hooligan shame

19 May 2023 , 10:34

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West Ham are concerned about security for the final (Image: Rob Newell/Getty Images)

West Ham will seek assurances about security arrangements at the Europa Conference League final after the hooligan disgrace of Alkmaar.

UEFA will launch an investigation into the violence that marred the Hammers' last-gasp semi-final winner in Holland, which prompted hooded, black-shirted ultras to storm the enclosure reserved for players' families – including manager David Moyes' 87-year-old father.

Angry players including Michael Antonio, Said Benrahma, Aaron Cresswell, Flynn Downes and Lucas Paqueta leapt over the perimeter barrier to protect friends and relatives. Now concern is already mounting about the final against Fiorentina in Prague's 20,000-capacity Fortuna Arena on June 7.

Both clubs have been allocated only 5,000 tickets, a woefully inadequate quota with thousands more East-enders expected to make the pilgrimage to West Ham's first European final in 47 years.

UEFA's disciplinary panel will wait for reports from their observers before deciding on any action. But the disorder on Thursday night was so serious that they are likely to appoint an inspector to investigate the incident more thoroughly, and AZ Alkmaar could face heavy sanctions.

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In a statement, Dutch police said: “So far, no arrests have been made. Our aim was to disperse the crowd and restore order as quickly as possible, in which we succeeded. The police will investigate footage of the incidents and try to identify supporters, and arrests may follow.

West Ham's win over AZ Alkmaar was marred by violence after the full-time whistle (DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

“Together with AZ, the municipality of Alkmaar and the public prosecution service, we will evaluate last night’s incidents, which we regret having happened. This kind of behaviour has no place in football.”

Moyes wants answers after fearing for the safety of his family, including his elderly father David senior, saying: "I can't explain what happened and why it happened. I can only say the players were involved because it was the family section and most of their family and friends were in there. That was probably the reason for the reaction.

"Was I worried? Yeah, my family were there and I had friends in that section. You're hoping they would try and get themselves away from it. Security wanted to take me inside, but I had to make sure my players didn't get too involved."

Alkmaar 'ultras' were able to get into the family section (DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola added: “I had family although they were a bit far from the incident, but we were worried about our families. Security is the most important thing at a stadium, especially for an event like this.

“Security was a bit too open for the opposition fans but in the end we managed to stop them. When family or fans come to a stadium you don’t want to see things like that. We want them to enjoy the event.”

Match-winner Pablo Fornals didn't have family in attendance, but also voiced his concerns. "Hopefully everyone is okay and the police can do their jobs and just realise who did it," he said. "No one wants to see their family being kicked."

Mike Walters