West Ham star Declan Rice takes swipe at UEFA in now-deleted Twitter post
UEFA have banned the sale of tickets to West Ham fans for their Europa League trip to Rapid Vienna later this month and fined the club.
Some of the Hammers supporters fought Genk fans and stewards during their 2-2 draw in Belgium earlier this month, and Europe’s governing body has decided to punish the club.
As stated on their website, West Ham will be paying €34,500 (£29,000) for crowd disturbances and throwing of objects from their fans, and Declan Rice is far from happy.
BBC journalist Simon Stone shared the news on his personal Twitter account, and the Hammers ace responded before quickly deleting his post.
He said: “Laughable this is. Gutted for our fans that now won’t be able to make the trip! Did Rapid Vienna get fined or a ban of tickets for their ‘crowd disturbances’ at our stadium? Nope.”
Fuming
Supporters who have already booked accommodation and flights to Austria are now likely to stay back home except the Hammers appeal and win, and that makes Rice unhappy.
However, UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body actually handed Vienna fans a one-match ban for their supporters at their next away Europa League match after crowd trouble against West Ham in September, alongside a fine [UEFA].
David Moyes’ men have already booked a place in the last-32 of the competition, but they are looking to pick up more points in order to finish as group leaders and potentially get a favourable draw in the next stage.
They need three more points for that to happen, and while victory in Austria is possible, it would have to be without their fans.
It is the second time West Ham are getting in trouble after they were fined following clashes between their fans and Vienna’s at the London Stadium in September [Football.London] and something needs to change.
In other West Ham news, ExWHUemployee has claimed Kretinsky could see Hammers sign extraordinary int’l striker.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.