AZ Alkmaar issues 43 stadium bans after West Ham fans were attacked by hooded thugs during the Europa Conference League semi-final…with 14 supporters arrested after Dutch police declared a surrender deadline on Tuesday
Eredivisie team AZ Alkmaar has handed out 43 stadium bans to ultras after the violence in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League against West Ham.
Dutch hooligans dressed in black hoodies attempted to storm up the steps of the AFAS Stadium and break into the catering seats where the West Ham players’ families and friends had watched the 1-0 win that evening.
A small handful of traveling supporters bravely fought the blast of ultrasound at the top of the stairwell and forced the attack back down the stairs.
Players such as Said Benrahma, Lucas Paqueta, Michail Antonio and Flynn Downes were also involved in the battle as they tried to ensure the safety of the supporters.
Dutch police gave the hooligans involved in the scuffle until Tuesday to turn themselves in or risk having their faces broadcast Against Requestedthe Dutch equivalent of Crimestoppers, after 16 of the criminals involved surrendered to the authorities.
AZ Alkmaar has issued a number of stadium bans following last week’s fan violence following the Europa Conference League semi-final against West Ham
A small handful of fans had to hold back a wave of hooligans trying to breach the stands
Riot police were deployed by Dutch authorities, the incident is the latest in a series as cases of football violence rise in the Netherlands
The club announced that the stadium bans on AZ’s ground were by no means the last punishment the ultras could face, issuing a statement about the events that read: “AZ has now issued 43 stadium bans in response to the disturbances of previous week.
‘It concerns visitors who were involved in the misconduct surrounding the European semi-final in Alkmaar.
“It is by no means impossible that there will be more local stadium bans.”
The club’s statement added that the criminal investigation of the Dutch police had not yet been completed and 14 people had been arrested so far.
Ahead of Sunday’s game against PSV Eindhoven – their last draw of the season – AZ is discussing possible additional measures with “the relevant authorities” to ensure similar scenes do not repeat themselves.
The starting point is that the many thousands of well-meaning AZ supporters must be able to experience a pleasant match.
Chris Knoll, known as ‘Knollsy’, bravely stopped Dutch hooligans at the top of the stairwell
On Thursday, a bespoke statue of the infamous West Ham supporter sold on eBay for more than £6,000
The statement comes just hours after a commemorative action figure depicting strong supporter Chris ‘Knollsy’ Knoll – dubbed the ‘Angel of Alkmaar’ – sold on eBay for more than £6,000.
The father-of-four almost single-handedly helped turn the tide of advancing ultras and has since been celebrated with a standing ovation as he watched West Ham’s 3-1 win over Leeds on Sunday and a ticket to the final in Prague in May . 24.
David Moyes’ side take on Fiorentina in an unexpected repeat of West Ham’s last final in Europe, the 1975 Anglo-Italian Cup.
The Serie A team will also be contesting their last shot at silver this season, after losing 2-1 to Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.