West Ham have responded to fighting in the stands during the club’s 5-2 Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
There was a distinct lack of fight from West Ham on the pitch as they were embarrassed by London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League yet again.
But there was plenty of it in the stands as unsavoury brawls broke out in the London Stadium.
Videos of fighting on the terraces during West Ham’s 5-2 defeat to the Gunners have been going viral on social media.
The footage has also been reported on in wildly inaccurate fashion by some of the tabloid press.
Some in the media have been reporting that there was “in-fighting” between Hammers supporters.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Away fans getting tickets in the home end at the London Stadium has been a major issue ever since West Ham’s move to Stratford.
Dejection for West Ham United after conceding Arsenal's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Arsenal FC at Lon...
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West Ham statement on London Stadium fighting during Arsenal clash
It’s one of the biggest grievances Hammers supporters have with their owners.
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Against Arsenal it was the worst it has been.
There were Gunners fans dotted everywhere around the ground.
Much to the understandable anger of the Hammers faithful.
I know because the mass brawl which erupted during the game happened in the section where I sit.
And it was sparked by two brazen Arsenal fans celebrating their team’s goals before being confronted by angry Hammers supporters who has repeatedly told stewards to have them removed.
Fans were just as furious with their own club for allowing this to happen again than they were with the away supporters who had infiltrated the home end.
Now West Ham have issued a threatening statement on London Stadium fighting during Arsenal clash and get it all wrong.
An aerial view of London Stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on May 07, 2023 ...
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Hammers threaten to ban own fans from home and away matches
A Hammers spokesperson has threatened to dish out London Stadium bans to all involved.
But they also said the fans involved will be ‘banned from travelling with West Ham’ – suggesting they are looking to punish their own supporters rather than focus on preventing away fans from getting into the home sections.
In a statement released via Hammers insider Sean Whetstone, a West Ham spokesperson warned club bans are incoming for the home supporters involved.
“The club is aware of the incident and will be working to identify the offender(s),” West Ham said.
“In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police and will be given an indefinite ban and therefore be unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the club.
“There is no place for this kind of behaviour at our stadium.”
West Ham spokesperson on London Stadium troubles after home fans fought with Arsenal fans in home ends : "The club is aware of the incident and will be working to identify the offender(s)."
“In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details… pic.twitter.com/GR2bnAeitE
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) December 1, 2024
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West Ham must address the real issue – how away fans keep getting tickets in the home end
While there is no excuse for violence, West Ham only have themselves to blame for their ticketing system which allows – on a consistent basis – away supporters to get in the home end.
It is a problem which simply hasn’t been addressed.
Banning your own fans is not going to do relations between supporters and the club any favours whatsoever.
It’s simple, if there were no Arsenal fans in the home end then the incident wouldn’t have happened.
Who’s fault is it that Gunners supporters were in the home sections?
Certainly not West Ham fans.
Although some may welcome being banned so they do not have to put themselves through watching the team’s pathetic performances, it’s not the way to handle the situation.
A major inquiry needs to be held into West Ham’s ticketing setup and how away fans are able to readily obtain seats in the home end.
Until that is addressed then incidents like this will continue to happen.
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