Fiorentina chairman Rocco Commisso has branded West Ham ‘animals’ after his side lost the Europa Conference League final.
Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute goal earned the Hammers a 2-1 victory in Prague, their first major trophy since 1980 and their first European success since 1965.
But there was bitterness from the Fiorentina side in the manner of their defeat, with Commisso unhappy with Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande.
Striker Luka Jovic suffered a broken nose and had to be substituted at half-time after a goal was disallowed for offside.
Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi also bled from the head after being hit by a barrage of plastic beer cups and a vape pen thrown by West Ham fans.
Fiorentina chairman Rocco Commisso branded West Ham ‘animals’ after his side’s 2-1 loss to the Hammers in the Europa Conference League final
Striker Luka Jovic had to come off at half-time after breaking his nose in a collision
Viola captain Cristiano Biraghi was then pinned down by a mug of beer thrown by West Ham supporters
Commisso said he spoke to Premier League chief Richard Masters about the incidents.
‘What should I say? I expected a win,” he told reporters on his return to Florence.
“But there were instances where the referee should have done better. Jovic broke his nose, then Biraghi.
“I spoke to the chairman of the Premier League, telling him they are all animals for the way they treated our footballers.
“The defeat is not fair. We could have won 3-0, I feel sorry for the fans who deserved better.’
It’s the second cup final Fiorentina have lost in recent days after Inter Milan beat them 2-1 in the Coppa Italia final on May 24.
Nevertheless, Commisso has confirmed that manager Vincenzo Italiano will remain in charge next season.
Defender Biraghi was hit by several missiles after walking to take a corner kick past the Hammers contingent and had to be treated by medical personnel.
Jovic falls after taking a blow to the nose as referee Carlos del Cerro Grande looks on
Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was hit by an object thrown by West Ham fans
Biraghi was left with a gash on the back of his head, with blood flowing down to his neck
An object, believed to be a cup, hit Biraghi directly on his scalp and caused a small gash, causing blood to flow down the back of his head and neck.
The match was called off to allow officials to hold consultations with the two captains, and a number of West Ham players attempted to calm the unruly fans.
An announcement in the stadium was made, warning fans not to throw any projectiles.
‘An important security announcement. Stop throwing objects on the ground. Please respect players and officials,’ the AP’s brief message said.
Biraghi, who initially aimed a sarcastic jab at West Ham supporters after being hit, was deemed fit to continue, albeit with a bandage over his head.
Declan Rice, Nayef Aguerd, Lucas Paqueta and Vladimir Coufal also pleaded with fans to stop throwing cups from the outdoor section of Eden Arena.
Hammers captain Declan Rice has been called in to speak with referee Carlos del Cerro Grande
Defender Biraghi sarcastically applauded West Ham supporters after objects were thrown
West Ham have released a statement promising to take action against anyone found guilty of an offense and ban them from attending matches at the London Stadium.
“West Ham United unreservedly condemns the behavior of a small number of individuals who threw objects onto the pitch during tonight’s UEFA Europa Conference League final,” the statement read.
“These actions have no place in football and in no way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout. of our last two seasons in European competition.”
“We will work with the police and other stakeholders to review the incidents and take action against anyone found guilty of an offence.
“In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police and will be issued an indefinite ban and will therefore not be able to enter the London Stadium and travel with the club.” There is no place for this kind of behavior at West Ham United.
West Ham boss David Moyes celebrates winning the European Conference League
