After West Ham United players’ loved ones were harassed on Thursday as they celebrated their victory in the Europa Conference League semifinals, Dutch club AZ Alkmaar issued an apology for a “pitch black evening.”
At the AZ Stadium, the home fans tore down a gate and attacked the West Ham supporters who were situated in a designated area behind their team’s dugout.
West Ham players, including captain Declan Rice, sought to break up the fight and many of them ran to the help of family members.
In order to stop additional conflict, police and stewards rushed to the situation. After 10 minutes, peace was restored.
According to an AZ statement on Friday, “although everyone anticipated a historic European match, it turned into a gloomy evening because of the events at the referee’s final whistle.”
“It evolved into a shameful night to remember. Not because of the football game that was played, but rather because of how some of the tourists were acting. Sadly, we are unable to refer to these individuals as supporters.
“What happened is unfathomable. The organization extends its profound regrets to West Ham United and the hundreds of upright AZ fans who were also inconvenienced by the wrongdoing.
The club announced that they would examine the video in conjunction with the police, the Public Prosecution Service, and the municipality of Alkmaar to determine “just what happened, how it might have happened, and what has to be addressed.”
AZ promised that those in charge will face just punishment.
The photographs will be examined to see if there was any criminal liability that may justify an arrest, Dutch police informed ANP news agency on Friday. But, they had not yet made any arrests.
According to the police, there were problems outside the stadium as well, including at the train station in Alkmaar.
Coaches and athletes for AZ denounced the attack’s participants in their fan base.
Although not being in our stadium, it is bothersome. Ideally not at any stadium,” AZ coach Pascal Jansson remarked after his team was defeated 1-0 by West Ham on Thursday to advance to the final against Fiorentina. finished with a win total of 1. Prague 7th June.
“I feel bad. You need to use a necklace to restrain your emotions even at night.
The incident, according to West Ham manager David Moyes, has diminished the accomplishment of the Premier League team.
There was nothing we or West Ham as a club could have done, Moyes told reporters on Friday. Like everyone else, if you saw a member of your family in need, you would go and assist them, and that is what happened.
Sadly, it took a lot of time and news. Nonetheless, we won’t let that diminish the fact that we made it to the final, which is an amazing accomplishment.
A similar incident occurred last week in London when West Ham supporters confronted AZ supporters, including coach Janssen’s family, who were celebrating a goal by the Dutch team in the first half of the first leg.
