THE shocking scale of fan violence at the London Stadium during West Ham’s game with Burnley was laid bare last night — with 150 SEPARATE incidents.
Following an investigation, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan claimed match-day stewards handled 40 assaults and 26 attempts to invade the pitch in shameful scenes.
Khan described the acts of violence and protests at the game earlier this month as “apparently planned and co-ordinated”.
And he claimed those who threw coins at Hammers co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan did so “with intent to injure or harm”.
After his meeting with the Safety Advisory Group, it has been claimed:
- More than a dozen fights had broken out in different parts of the ground between West Ham supporters at the same time
- Twenty-six people tried to get on to the pitch. Twenty-two were stopped by stewards and four were successful
- There were 150 separate incidents, including 50 public order offences and 40 assaults
- CCTV footage shows a co-ordinated move by a known group of individuals to the directors’ box
- Six of the 56 ‘persons of interest’ have previously served banning orders at the London Stadium or Upton Park
The Hammers have already acted against those responsible, handing five lifetime bans to those involved in the riots.
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That included the four men who invaded the pitch during the match.
Khan last week had his say on the events, telling the club to “get a grip” at their £2.5million-a-year rented home and take responsibility for the actions of their fans.
And now he has slammed the Hammers again, urging them to improve relations between the club and the fans.
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During his weekly Question Time at City Hall, Khan said: “I have called on those that run West Ham to build on, and focus on, building better relations.
“The scenes were a disgrace and mindless hooliganism. The overwhelming majority of West Ham fans, and the taxpayer, deserve much better.”
Skipper Mark Noble was seen to grab a fan and wrestle him to the ground as he got on the pitch.
Gold and Sullivan were also forced to flee as fans hurled objects and demanded they resign.
But West Ham supporters have rejected claims that the trouble was co-ordinated.
Khan dismissed a claim, which he said was made in a letter from West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady, that there had been a 15 per cent cut in safety and security spending.
He also confirmed the bill for additional stewarding and policing, at West Ham’s remaining home games this season, will be picked up by the taxpayer, not the club.
This arrangement is part of the agreement for the Hammers to use the stadium.
Brady has suggested the club were not to blame for the yob shame, claiming they are being used as a “political pawn”.
Relations between the club, stadium owners E20 and the London Legacy Development Corporation are increasingly stained.
And Khan is scheduled to meet Brady early next week to discuss security at the London Stadium.