West Ham assistant Billy McKinlay is SENT OFF after furious touchline row with Bayer Leverkusen staff… sparking a mass brawl among the players in chaotic Europa League clash
- The staff of West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen were involved in a heated touchline
- Moments later, the players were on the field and bickering in a massive brawl
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West Ham’s assistant manager Billy McKinlay was sent off after a violent clash with Bayer Leverkusen’s coaching staff during Thursday’s Europa League match at the London Stadium.
Moments after referee Jose María Sanchez handed out the red card to McKinlay, a mass brawl broke out between West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen players on the pitch as Michail Antonio tried to wrestle the ball away from Odilon Kossounou.
Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Cresswell and Edson Alvarez were among those who jumped to Antonio’s defense after Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah confronted him in the middle of the fight.
Soon, most players from both sides joined the brawl, with Tah and Antonio receiving bookings after the incident.
It is not yet known what exactly sparked the row between the two sets of coaches, but McKinlay appeared furious as he gestured to a Leverkusen staff member.
The players of West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen got into an argument on the pitch after Billy McKinlay’s red card
Referee Jose María Sanchez waves the red card after the personnel fight on the sideline
McKinlay introduced himself shortly before the match as West Ham tried to overturn a 2-0 deficit
The Leverkusen coach was also sent to the stands by the referee, shortly after David Moyes’ assistant had been given his marching orders.
The German side, who celebrated winning the Bundesliga title after 11 years of dominating Bayern Munich this weekend, went into the second leg at the London Stadium with a 2-0 lead.
Antonio quickly halved West Ham’s deficit in the 13th minute with a well-taken goal, increasing tensions between the two sides as both fought hard to book a place in the Europa League semi-finals.