West Ham Players Protect Fans During Stand Scuffle

Several West Ham United players were seen climbing into the stands to protect their friends and families from disgruntled AZ Alkmaar fans after a 1-0 win on Thursday evening, 18 May.

A horde of upset Dutch fans was seen charging into a section of the stands at the AFAS Stadium in Alkmaar, Netherlands that had been reserved for loved ones of the Hammers at the final whistle of the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg.

English Premier League players, Michail Antonio, Flynn Downes, Lucas Paqueta, Said Benrahma and Declan Rice leapt over the barricades in an attempt to intervene as hooded hooligans forced their way towards the visitors.

An older Hammers fan known as “Knollsy” was seen protecting defender Thilo Kerher’s girlfriend by standing at the top of a set of stairs to their respective section so as to prevent the raging fans from coming any closer. Users from across major social media platforms have praised his actions.

Security finally managed to intervene before the proceedings became too violent, but commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball, who was inside the stadium, called the scene “awful”.

Alkmaar coach, Pascal Jansen, has condemned his follower’s actions, saying: “I feel shame. You have to control your emotions, even on a night with a defeat.”

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