Andy Dunn wants ‘severe’ UEFA punishment for West Ham United after what Fiorentina chief said
Andy Dunn says he “understands” Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso’s anger and called for action following the Conference League Final between West Ham and the Italian club.
On Wednesday 7 June, West Ham ended a 43-year major trophy drought with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague which saw them lift the UEFA Conference League.
While the night was a historic and special occasion for the club, some fans’ inexcusable actions let the club down during the first half.
During the 34th minute, objects were hurled towards Fiorentina man Cristiano Biraghi as he got set to take a corner kick which left the Italian’s head covered in blood. The Serie A side’s president has been left furious and Dunn has come to his defence.
Writing on page 71 of the Sunday Mirror (11 June) Dunn said “If a player from a Premier League club was left with blood pouring from his head after being hit by a missile thrown by Italian fans, we would be up in arms.”
So the anger of Fiorentina’s president Rocco Commissio after Cristiano Biraghi was wounded by an object hurled by a West Ham was completely understandable. UEFA’s punishment of the English club should be severe.”
However, Dunn did suggest some of the anger was misplaced when he said, “Commisso’s suggestion that the Hammers were also ‘animals’ on the field was preposterous.”
Fair anger
Dunn is spot-on with everything that he has commented on in regard to the situation. Firstly, when it comes to a European final, the game is likely to be competitive with a slight edge and that is something Commisso can have few complaints about.
However, most of his anger is likely driven by the first-half incident which is completely fair. The ‘fans’ who threw objects toward the pitch should not be allowed to enter a stadium for a very long time if caught.
On this occasion, Biraghi got away with just a bloody head however on any other occasion the outcome could have been much worse. If struck in the eye the player may have been blinded or had his vision impaired.
There needs to be a hard crackdown when incidents like this occur to send a message to other fans that these kinds of actions are not acceptable and will not be tolerated, in order to ensure the safety of players on the pitch.