Some fans associated with Alkmaar on Thursday, at the end of the match against West Ham, headed to the main stand area where about 200 fans of the London team were, in an action that led to some clashes.
According to Dutch newspapers, such as De Telegraaf, or the English press, such as the Daily Mail, supporters of the Dutch team attacked the section in which they were friends and relatives of West Ham players, including other guests, causing riots.
The press in both countries even reported that there were numerous punches and blows in the midst of the confusion, which some West Ham players responded to, in defense of their fans. De Telegraaf writes that Thomas Sujek was among the most enthusiastic after the Dutch fans’ actions, but Jarrod Bowen, Declan Rice, Said Benrahma and others stepped in to try to calm tensions and confusion. Michail Antonio also jumped from billboards after the violence broke out.
The police and stewards arrived on the scene in the meantime to avoid further mischief and everything calmed down after about ten minutes, while, according to De Telegraaf, several AZ fans whistled their displeasure with the scenes.
Pictures taken at AFAS Stadium show the moments of the clashes.
a West Ham won the second leg 1-0 and secured qualification to the conference finals.
Melody Gross is a contributor at Brytfmonline.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is committed to delivering clear, accurate, and reader-focused reporting that helps audiences stay informed about current events and important developments. With a focus on useful information and balanced storytelling, Melody aims to present timely stories and relevant insights in a way that is accessible, engaging, and easy to understand.