Finally, West Ham have taken the decisive step of banning away fans in the home end at the London Stadium—and it’s not a moment too soon.
The practice is not permitted at any Premier League ground, but at the former Olympic Stadium stewards have often appeared to turn a blind eye. It hasn’t been unusual to see supporters in opposition colours sat among Hammers fans, raising questions about how those tickets were obtained.
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Let’s be honest, this move was unlikely to have happened without the recent pressure on the club regarding the matchday experience. Even so, it’s a positive step—albeit a little overdue.
There’s also some crossover here with the club’s move to ban half-and-half scarves, especially when West Ham rely so heavily on football tourists who often wear them. But the main issue has always been with the brazen away fans who’ve felt comfortable enough to sit in home sections wearing Liverpool or Arsenal shirts.
It’s not as though the London Stadium doesn’t provide ample space for away supporters, so this decision feels like an easy win for the club.