West Ham and AZ Alkmaar fans clash in violent scenes as groups of supporters are seen battling in the streets of Holland ahead of their Europa Conference League semi-final
- Violent scenes erupted ahead of AZ Alkmaar against West Ham on Thursday
- The teams are ready to play their second Europa Conference League semi-final
- Videos show riots breaking out in the streets of Alkmaar as fans chase each other
Unsavory scenes have broke out between West Ham and AZ Alkmaar fans ahead of the second leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday.
The Hammers took the lead in their first draw but made it difficult for themselves, coming from behind to beat the Eredivisie side 2-1 at the London Stadium last Thursday.
Concerns have already been raised by the FA and the Met Police over the safety of fans heading to the final on June 7, should West Ham progress.
But tonight’s meeting was ruined by what’s going on described by Dutch media NH as a ‘sinister atmosphere’ as riots between hooded figures broke out in the streets of Alkmaar today.
Mail Sport understands it was an isolated incident and West Ham fans have reportedly been caught in the crossfire between Alkmaar and FC Groningen fans.
Videos have appeared on social media of hooded figures, which NH says include fans of both clubs, running through the streets.
West Ham and AZ Alkmaar fans clash ahead of their Europa Conference League semi-final
There were some unsavory scenes in Alkmaar on Thursday with riots between fans
Alkmaar will host around 5,000 traveling West Ham supporters for the second leg
A group of Alkmaar fans also set off fireworks outside the West Ham team hotel last night
A clip shows a person being attacked by several of the hooligans, with one using an object that looks like a bicycle to beat the supporter to the ground.
A second video, posted on Twitter, shows a large group of hooligans gathering at the bottom of a street.
Another video shows a large group of supporters running down the street holding what appear to be chairs.
It comes after AZ Alkmaar fans set off fireworks on Wednesday night outside the West Ham team hotel in a bid to disrupt the England side ahead of the clash.
Uploaded images shows that a fan has been hit by a stray flareas people dressed in dark colors ran away.
Large crowds of hooded figures ran through the streets holding chairs and other items (left)
It comes after Michail Antonio (middle) scored the winner in the first leg of the game
Both teams will play at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar tonight, which has 19,478 supporters, and 5,000 West Ham fans are expected to be in attendance tonight.
The Irons got off to a poor start in London last week and will be hoping for an earlier opener in Holland this week, after Tijjani Reijnders netted a first-half goal for the visitors.
Said Benrahma would level the playing field in the second half with a penalty, before Michail Antonio snatched a goal just 15 minutes from time.
West Ham have reached just two European finals in their history, the last 47 years ago.
