Violence flares in Prague as West Ham fans are attacked by gang of ‘Fiorentina ultras’
A group of partying West Ham fans were violently attacked by Fiorentina ultras this afternoon.
The festive mood soured shortly after 3pm in central Prague when Hammers fans drinking in a bar were attacked by a group of Italians dressed in black clothing and masks.
As word spread to the wider area that their fellow fans were being attacked, Hammers fans flocked to the bar – and a group of riot police moved in to prevent the two groups from meeting.
It was unclear if anyone was injured in the chaos leading up to the Premier League Club’s biggest European game in nearly half a century.
A West Ham fan who witnessed the scenes said: ‘They targeted a group and attacked them quite violently and ran off before anyone could react. It was totally unprovoked. They were all ultras dressed in black. It was pretty grim.’
A group of partying West Ham fans were violently attacked by Fiorentina ultras this afternoon. Pictured: A video shows Italian football fans dressed in black in Prague today
Pictured: Debris can be seen on the floor where Fiorentina ultras attacked a group of West Ham fans in Prague today. Smoke can be seen from flares on the ground
Around 100 West Ham fans tried to run to the bar where their fellow fans were believed to have been attacked, but were held off by around 50 police officers, some armed with automatic rifles and batons.
The ultras tried to escape the police and ran through a crowded paved shopping area. Some ran through the outdoor tables of a cafe where many people were eating, breaking crockery, glasses and bottles as tables overturned.
But they were rounded up and enclosed outside a massage parlor.
Women working inside peered through windows and snapped pictures of the thugs with their phones.
MailOnline witnessed a group of suspected thugs being handcuffed and arrested before being taken away by the mob.
Police using tannoys, speaking in Italian, warned the remaining Florentina fans and echoes gathered to leave the area immediately.
In the photo: Fiorentina ‘Ultras’ are led away today by the riot police in Prague
Pictured: Riot police are seen in central Prague today ahead of the Europa Conference League final, surrounding a group of Fiorentina Ultras
Pictured: West Ham United fans gather to cheer for their team in Prague’s Old Town Square ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League
It comes after similar hooligan supporters from AZ Alkmaar tried to get hold of the families of West Ham players in chaotic scenes at the end of the semi-final in the Netherlands.
Riot police were on standby in the hours leading up to tonight’s kickoff.
Earlier, a fan was detained by police for expressing an orange flair in the square, but later released after a tick-off.
More than 10,000 West Ham fans gathered in the fan zone to watch the match on a giant screen.
Supporters of their Italian rival without tickets were directed to a separate fan zone.
After days of rain, the sun broke through and lifted the thousands of fans in Prague’s Old Town Square as pints were drunk and bars were packed to the brim.
Sam Nicola, 32, a London black cab driver who wore a burgundy and blue curly wig, said: ‘I woke up this morning and my whole body went into this state of terror.
“I couldn’t speak and I kept thinking about what could happen. It’s much worse than normal butterflies, believe me.
“We just have to win, and I’ve promised all my friends I’ll wear this wig in my cab for a week if we do.”
The Czech authorities have stepped up security in the run-up to the Europa Conference League final
West Ham fan Sam Nicola (left) was among those soaking up the pre-match atmosphere
Fans have taken over Old Town Square while Czech authorities keep an eye on it
His brother Jay, 35, who also wore a similar wig and drives a black cab, added: “We’ve been waiting so long for this. But there were a lot of nerves.
“But I believe we can. We’ll take that trophy home. We win 2-1.’
London dentist Aditi Tanna, 28, who wore a West Ham hat and shirt, said: ‘It’s so great to be here with all these great West Ham fans. We made many new friends.
‘My friend Ajay and I came to Prague by train from Vienna this morning and for an extra four euros we were put in first class and given a class of Prosecco, so that was a great way to start the day.
“I feel it’s getting better and better until winning the cup tonight.
“We don’t have tickets, but it’s much more fun to be here than watching it on TV from the couch. ‘
Keilan Schemeri, 31, from Gibraltar whose father Joe is from London and a Hammer fan said: ‘It will be 3-1 for West Ham. We’re all about it.’
Former West Ham striker, Tony Cottee joins supporters in the old town square as a sign of his name.
Actor and comedian James Corden, a lifelong West Ham fan, also flew to the Czech Republic and gleefully posed with supporters for photos.
Folk hero Knollsy, dubbed the ‘Angel of Alkmaar’ after battling thugs to attack West Ham fans last month, was mobbed by well-wishers as he walked the square in a black West Ham shirt.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…