Family members of the AZ players and trainers who traveled with them were attacked by West Ham United fans during the semi-final match in the Conference League on Thursday evening. The family members eventually watched the match in another part of the London Stadium.
Things went wrong when AZ took a 0-1 lead just before half-time thanks to a goal by Tijjani Reijnders. The family members, who were seated in the main stand, cheered, sparking anger from West Ham fans. They harassed the relatives.
General manager Robert Eenhoorn saw it happen. He helped ensure that the family members were given a different place – high in the stadium – he told The Telegraph.
“But there were about the most dangerous supporters of West Ham,” said Eenhoorn. “As a result, I hardly got anything from the game, I was only concerned with the safety of our people.”
‘They were shocked’
The two children and the girlfriend of AZ trainer Pascal Jansen were also among the family members who were attacked. “They were shocked for a moment,” Jansen said at his press conference at the London Stadium after the game.
“It happened somewhere behind where the reserve players were. I don’t know exactly where. Robert just came over to reassure me. Everyone is safe and okay. So let’s not make it bigger than it is.”
AZ lost 2-1 to West Ham United. Next Thursday is the return in Alkmaar and then Jansen’s team hopes to rectify the defeat and reach a European final for the second time in club history (the UEFA Cup final was lost in 1981).
2023-05-12 01:20:22
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