Ian Abrahams rages at West Ham United and Aston Villa fans in rant live on talkSPORT
Ian Abrahams labelled West Ham fans “embarrassing” for booing former player Declan Rice, while also taking a swipe at Aston Villa supporters in an on-air rant.
Rice was jeered by sections of the London Stadium during West Ham’s 3-1 EFL Cup last-16 win over Arsenal on Wednesday (1 November).
It was the England international’s first appearance against his former side since joining Arsenal in a £105million transfer during the summer window.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast on Thursday [2 November, 06:40], Abrahams questioned why certain West Ham fans felt the need to boo the man who enjoyed Europa Conference League success with the club just five months ago.
“I’ve got to say, and this will be unpopular with West Ham fans, those who booed him last night showed a complete lack of class and a complete lack of awareness of what this guy has done for West Ham,” he said. “I thought it was embarrassing.
“If you want to do a little comical boo when he gets up to warm up for the first time, I’d have understood, maybe even the next time he got up – it’s football banter. But to boo him when he came on and every time he touched the ball – come on!”
When told by Gabby Agbonlahor that Aston Villa fans booed Jack Grealish upon his return to Villa Park with Manchester City, Abrahams said: “Well they’re idiots.”
Bizarre
Abrahams has a point. While every paying supporter is entitled to their own opinion, it seemed strange that Rice – one of only three West Ham captains to lift a major trophy – was regularly booed by certain sections of the crowd.
It did not exactly overshadow what was an excellent cup win over London rivals Arsenal, but it did slightly sour the victory as it is now arguably the biggest talking point the morning after.
Seeing Rice join Arsenal was upsetting, perhaps even more so given he is already a fan favourite at Emirates Stadium, but it is not as though he forced through a move.
The long-serving midfielder made clear he wanted a new challenge, gave the club plenty of warning and that ensured we brought in a nine-figure sum.
It is a transfer that worked for all three parties, which therefore made this reaction from the fanbase all the more bizarre.
In other West Ham news, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hit out at a controversial decision made by the officials.