Supporters of Dutch membership AZ Alkmaar clashed with riot police and opposition followers late Thursday after dropping 0-1 to West Ham United in a Europa Conference League semi-final duel, news and social media stories stated.
The incident is the most recent in a sequence of escalating incidents of soccer violence within the Netherlands, which has anxious each sports activities officers and politicians alike.
AZ followers stormed the principle stand on the AFAS stadium within the northwest Dutch metropolis shortly after the ultimate whistle, earlier than brawling with West Ham supporters celebrating the win, the ANP nationwide news company stated.
“The fans sat behind the AZ goal and broke through a gate to the main stand, after which they stormed celebrating West Ham fans,” the ANP stated.
“From there, fists were flying,” it added.
Several gamers from each groups had been additionally pulled into the fracas together with West Ham United captain Declan Rice, stories stated.
Footage posted Twitter confirmed a bunch of supporters, believed to be from AZ, breaking down a gate earlier than in search of confrontation with West Ham United followers.
Other footage confirmed West Ham United gamers leaping over the boarding to intervene within the scuffle whereas frantically waving at folks within the crowd.
In yet one more clip, a number of cops in riot gear drive again AZ supporters earlier than restoring order to the stadium.
Whistles condemning the followers’ behaviour may be heard from different AZ supporters within the stands.
West Ham United supervisor David Moyes after the match stated his gamers had grow to be concerned as a result of they wished to guard family and friends.
“My relatives and friends were also on the stand. I only later saw what happened,” Moyes instructed the ANP news company.
The incident is the most recent in an escalation in soccer violence within the Netherlands.
On Sunday a referee halted a high division match between FC Groningen and Ajax after a Groning fan ran onto the sector with a banner and smoke bombs had been tossed on the pitch.
In one other incident, Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen obtained a head damage final month after a Feyenoord fan tossed a cigarette lighter at him from the stands.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
