West Ham United have been warned that the upcoming fixture against Arsenal could descend into chaos on the terraces if ongoing concerns around rival fans are not addressed.
It’s an issue that has been bubbling away for some time — and one that reared its head again when Manchester United visited the London Stadium earlier this season.
Previous incidents raise serious concerns
As Claret & Hugh reported at the time, away supporters appeared to gain access to home sections with little resistance.
In one instance, an entire row of Manchester United fans were seated together, making no attempt to hide their identity — a clear breach of Premier League safety guidelines.
There was also an incident involving a United fan walking through the concourse with a derogatory sign, openly taunting West Ham supporters. Despite this, she was not ejected and later had a drink thrown over her.
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Man U fans taunt West Ham supporters outside the London Stadium
It’s amazing the brazen nature of Manchester United fans openly mocking West Ham fans in home sections didn’t end in serious injury
To add to the double standards, West Ham Fan TV were moved from their usual filming spot, while Manchester United social media influencers were seemingly allowed to continue without issue.
“It was a farce”
Speaking after the game, a regular Claret & Hugh reader and former FAB member told me:
“It was a farce inside the stadium. This would never have happened at Upton Park where the stewards were West Ham fans.”
Ongoing issue since move to Stratford
Opposition fans accessing West Ham sections has been a recurring problem since the move to Stratford.
With tickets regularly appearing on resale platforms, it has become increasingly difficult to control who is sitting where.
Arsenal game raises fresh fears
With Arsenal due at the London Stadium on May 10th, there are real concerns that the same issues could arise again.
There is a strong likelihood that Gunners fans will attempt to enter home areas, potentially wearing club colours — something that has happened on multiple occasions before.
FAB steps in with formal warning
The West Ham United Fan Advisory Board has now formally raised concerns with the club over ticketing and security arrangements for the Arsenal fixture.
They have also flagged the final game of the season against Leeds United as another potential flashpoint.
Risk of escalation
The overriding concern is that this ongoing issue could escalate.
If left unchecked, it risks leading to more serious disturbances inside the stadium.