AZ Alkmaar has suspended 43 fans who attacked family members of West Ham players in the second leg of the Conference League semi-finals on May 18 in the Netherlands. In a statement published this Thursday, the Dutch club has announced that identified fans will not be able to re-enter the stadium. He has also reported that the police investigation is still open and that it is not ruled out that more bans are issued in other stadiums nationwide.
Looking ahead to this Sunday’s game against PSV Eindhoven, AZ Alkmaar has said that they are studying measures with the authorities to protect the fans. “The starting point is that the thousands of well-intentioned AZ supporters must be able to enjoy a pleasant game,” the club stressed.
At the end of the match, in which a goal from the Spanish Pablo Fornals in the 94th minute qualified London’s West Ham for the Conference League final, ultras from the local team attacked relatives of the English players and they confronted them, while The club’s security intervened to stop the confrontation.
“While the whole world was waiting for a historic European match, it turned into a black night due to the events that occurred after the referee’s final whistle. It became a night to reflect on with shame. Not because of the football match played, but because of the behavior of some visitors. Unfortunately, we cannot use the word ‘fans’ to refer to these people”, declared the Dutch team.
West Ham, who won the first leg in London 2-1, will play the Conference final on June 7 in Prague against Italian Fiorentina, who defeated Swiss Basel (1-3). It will be the first European final for the English team in 47 years.
The Netherlands is facing an increase in soccer violence, with more than a dozen serious incidents this season. In April, Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen was injured in the head by a lighter thrown by a Feyenoord Rotterdam fan from the stands.
