UEFA begin investigations into AZ Alkmaar violence that erupted after West Ham clash

UEFA has begun investigations to dissect the unsavoury scenes that followed the conclusion of West Ham’s Europa Conference League semi-final win over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.

The Hammers progressed to the final of Europe’s third-tier cup competition as Pablo Fornals’ late strike guaranteed a 3-1 aggregate victory in Holland.

However, terrifying fallout in the aftermath of the match showed AZ Alkmaar thugs clash with West Ham fans and stewards in the ground as they ran on the pitch, attempted to break into restricted sections in the stands and cause fights.

One report suggests that a West Ham supporter nicknamed ‘Knollsy’ was involved in protecting the partners and families of Hammers stars by fighting off a mob that were aggressively trying to reach them.

Furious West Ham players were also seen jumping into the fray to try and defend their families as striker Michail Antonio and Flynn Downes leapt over the advertising hoardings.

Scenes at the AFAS Stadium turned sour as home supporters fumed at Thursday’s result

Dutch riot police eventually dispersed the violence that had erupted in the stands

Security teams eventually managed to force their way into the thick of the action and separate the crews, with other guards jumping in to hold back the furious West Ham players as chaos continued to ensue.

UEFA’s disciplinary body will now review the footage and reports from the AFAS Stadium and decide on what further action should be taken.

Punishments could follow for both teams and will be decided upon once UEFA’s investigation has been completed.

Former West Ham and Chelsea star Joe Cole slammed the actions of AZ Alkmaar supporters after the match, telling BT Sport: ‘It’s absurd. Ridiculous grown men, AZ Alkmaar fans attacking the fans where families were sitting, our friends and colleagues. The players tried to break it up.

‘You have to look at UEFA and AZ Alkmaar with things like that. Turning up with balaclavas throwing punches, it’s just ridiculous. 

‘The players are rightfully concerned, families, friends, kids over there. Ridiculous in the modern game, pathetic.

‘People talk about hooliganism in England. We don’t’ see things like that, we haven’t for a long time. We get a reputation for it. It’s other clubs in Europe, it’s pathetic.

‘We have friends sitting there. In the modern game, with the cameras in these places, find out who these people are and ban them for life. We were talking about bringing our kids to the final now you second guess when you see things like that,’ he added.

Supporters attack relatives of West Ham United players during the Conference League match

West Ham#s Michail Antonio (centre) jumped over the advertising hoardings after violence broke out

The Dutch police later released a statement that read: ‘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. Arrests may follow from this.

‘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.’

West Ham players celebrated their semi-final victory with supporters that had travelled to the game

The events draw similarities to riots that broke out between West Ham and Frankfurt supporters in Spain last year when violence took place on the streets of Seville.

Frankfurt and Hammers fans came to blows in the Spanish city centre which saw bottles thrown and some holding what appear to be giant wooden sticks.

Another incident in 2021 saw West Ham supporters banned from attending their team’s Europa League away tie against Rapid Vienna.

UEFA accused Hammers fans of crowd disturbances in their previous round clash with Belgian side Genk and upheld the charge as supporters were banned from attending.