Turn yourself in or we’ll show your faces on national TV! Hooded Alkmaar fans who attacked families of West Ham players are given a 3pm deadline to report to the police… and 16 have already come forward
The hooded AZ Alkmaar thugs who attacked West Ham fans have been given a deadline to turn themselves in to the police – otherwise they risk having their faces shown on national television.
Sixteen of the black-clad crowd who stormed the security barriers to attack some of the Hammers fans – including friends and family of the players – after last Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final have already turned up. reported to the police.
Now the police have given the rest until 4 p.m. local time [3pm UK] on Tuesday to surrender or be seen Against Requestedthe Dutch counterpart of Crimestoppers.
Police said, as reported by NRC: ‘If you were involved in these disturbances and you want to prevent your photo from appearing on national television, report it to the police as soon as possible.’
Authorities initially planned to show 24 images of the hooligans in the TV show, but that has now been reduced to “more than ten.” The number may decrease if more hand in themselves.
Police have threatened to show on national TV the faces of black-clad AZ Alkmaar hooligans who attacked West Ham fans after Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final. West Ham fan Chris Knoll battles the attackers
The crowd of hooligans broke through security in the main stand to confront West Ham fans
Police said 16 of the group have already turned themselves in to police, as authorities set a deadline to prevent them from being broadcast on Dutch television
Last Thursday’s violent scenes in Alkmaar overshadowed West Ham’s 1-0 win on the night, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory and passage to a final with Fiorentina in Prague.
A horde of Alkmaar hooligans ran from the home section to the main stand, where a group of West Ham fans, including guests of the players, took their seats.
Hammers players including Mikhail Antonio, Flynn Downes, Lucas Paqueta and Said Benrahma stopped their post-game celebrations to jump the billboards amid serious concern for their loved ones.
Shocking footage showed brave West Ham supporters throwing blows at the Alkmaar ultras as they attempted to charge up the stairs to attack.
A Hammers fan, Chris Knoll, known as ‘Knollsy’, was praised for fending off the thugs until security finally intervened.
The 58-year-old father-of-four, who is currently recovering from hip replacement surgery, was left with a swollen left eye after taking several blows fighting off the attackers.
The 58-year-old father of four and West Ham fan Chris Knoll battled the hooligan mob
Mikhail Antonio (center) jumped the billboards after violence erupted
Lucas Paqueta (right) and Said Benrahma (left) were also among the players who came on
West Ham fans fended off the hooded attackers in a scuffle before it was broken up
On Friday afternoon, West Ham and France goalkeeper Areola called Knoll a ‘legend’, while his wife Marrion Areola Valette added that he was the ‘greatest hero’ on a historic night for the Hammers.
Chris told MailOnline, “I’m not a hero. I just did what I had to do. There was another man she fended off. I don’t like bullies and just had to try and stop them.
“I just thought attacking was the best form of defense. You could tell they were intent on causing trouble and I didn’t want them to get to those behind us.’
With a black eye, ‘Knollsy’ received a standing ovation from other West Ham fans during their Premier League game with Leeds United on Sunday.
Fans asked for selfies and chanted his name in the Carpenters Arms pub ahead of West Ham’s 3-1 win.
West Ham fan Knollsy appeared emotional as supporters chanted his name outside the Carpenters Arms pub after heroically battling Dutch echoes last week