West Ham to ban supporters after broadcaster attack v Eintracht Frankfurt

Fri 29 April 2022 8:40, UK

West Ham United have vowed to dish out indefinite bans to any supporter found to have attacked German broadcasters ARD Radio, according to the Daily Mail.

The Hammers were beaten 2-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final last night but when Michail Antonio equalised, things got sour near the media area.

Tim Brockmeier and Philipp Hofmeister were commentating on the game for the German fans unable to make it to the London Stadium but as they were sat on the back row of the press area, they were close to the home fans.

The ARD Radio broadcasters have reported that they in their words “were attacked” by English fans behind them as the West Ham goal went in for 1:1. You could hear it on air. It disrupted the broadcast briefly. “I’ve never experienced anything like it.” #WHUSGE
— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) April 28, 2022

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BT Sport commentator Derek Rae detailed the incident on his personal Twitter account and said he’d “never experienced anything like that,” during his time in football.

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A West Ham statement read: “The club is aware of the incident and will be working to identify the offender,” as quoted by the Daily Mail.

“In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police.

“They will be given an indefinite ban and be unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the club. There is no place for this kind of behaviour.”

Ruined

The result might have dampened the festival atmosphere at the London Stadium but it was still a memorable night despite that.

This though has put a real sour taste on the night and we have to assume that the vast majority of West Ham fans would also condemn this abhorrent behaviour.

Let’s hope that these imbeciles are found and rightfully punished as the football club say they will be because these kind of actions are not welcome at the London Stadium.

Other than that though, it was still a tricky evening for David Moyes’ side and the Scot should have lost some sleep last night along with the players after giving themselves a mountain to climb.

Thankfully, we’ve already managed to go away in Europe and blow away the opposition in the last round against Lyon and we need that level of performance again in Germany next week.

In other West Ham news, Danny Murphy has made a bold prediction on the future of this Hammers star.

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