West Ham and AZ Alkmaar fans clash in violent scenes as groups of supporters seen fighting on the streets in Holland before their Europa Conference League semi-final decider
- Violent scenes have erupted ahead of AZ Alkmaar vs West Ham later tonight
- The teams are set to play their second Europa Conference League semi-final leg
- Videos show riots erupting on the streets of Alkmaar as fans chase eachother
Unsavoury scenes have erupted between West Ham and AZ Alkmaar fans ahead of the second leg of tonight’s Europa Conference League semi-final.
The Hammers took the advantage in their first tie but made it hard for themselves, coming from behind to defeat the Eredivise side 2-1 at the London Stadium last Thursday.
Concerns have already been raised by the FA and the Met Police over the safety of fans heading to the final on June 7, should West Ham progress.
But tonight’s meeting has been marred by what is being described by Dutch news outlet NH as a ‘grim atmosphere’ as riots between hooded figures have broken out today on the streets of Alkmaar.
Videos have been emerging on social media of hooded figures, who NH claim include fans from both clubs, running through the streets.
One clip shows a person being brutally attacked by several of the hooligans, with one using an object that looks like a bicycle to beat the supporter on the floor.
West Ham and AZ Alkmaar fans have been clashing today ahead of their Europa Conference League semi-final
There have been unsavoury scenes in Alkmaar today with riots erupting between the fans
Another video, posted on Twitter, shows a large group of the hooligans congregating at the bottom of a street
Another video shows a large group of supporters running through the street holding what appears to be chairs.
It comes after AZ Alkmaar fans set off fire works last night outside the West Ham team hotel in a bid to disrupt the English side before the semi-final.
Footage posted online actually shows that one fan was it by a stray rocket as people dressed in dark colours ran away from the scene.
Crowds of hooded figures ran through the streets holding with chairs and other objects
The two sides will play tonight at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, which holds 19,478 supporters, with 5000 West Ham fans set to be in attendance tonight.
The Irons got off to a bad start in London last week and will be hoping for a faster opening in Holland this week, after Tijjani Reijnders put the visitors a goal up in the first half.
Said Benrahma would level the playing field in the second half with a penalty, before Michail Antonio would snatch a goal just 15 minutes before the end.
West Ham have reached just two European finals in their history, the last coming 47 years ago.
