West Ham fans pelted with bottles and missiles in unsavoury scenes after Europa League defeat
Police were reportedly forced to use water cannons to allegedly prevent Eintracht Frankfurt fans from attacking West Ham fans after their Europa League defeat.
Police were forced to use water cannons to deter a group of Frankfurt ultras after their semi-final victory.
The incident began after the home fans had invaded the pitch and later escalated.
As first reported by the Sun, Frankfurt fans were seen throwing objects at the police after their win.
Frankfurt supporters then allegedly approached a large congregation of ticketless West Ham fans outside an Irish bar in the City centre.
Shocking scenes
For all the credit German football gets regarding it’s 50+1 rule, incidents like this aren’t a good look.
The Bundesliga gets plenty of praise for its season ticket prices and fan experience.
However, it should certainly be criticised on this occasion.
Allowing the Frankfurt fans so freely onto the pitch at the full-time whistle soured a special night for Frankfurt.
The West Ham faithful weren’t asking for trouble.
There is absolutely no issue with making a stadium intimidating, and Frankfurt certainly did that.
However, it must be kept in the Stadium.
Their eagerness to attack the travelling fans is something akin to the 1980s in the UK.
Days of football hooliganism are long gone in the UK.
Frankfurt also made headlines when vast swathes of their fan base invaded the Barcelona home end at the Nou Camp.
Whether it is problem systemic to Frankfurt or German football, the powers at be in Germany should certainly take a look at what has happened.
In other West Ham news, a BBC pundit has urged West Ham to sign a £40million rated Chelsea wantaway, saying he would be a “great fit”.
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