West Ham hope that a robust action plan formulated in the wake of fan violence during Wednesday’s EFL Cup win over Chelsea will help to bring an end to the troubles at London Stadium.
Seven supporters were arrested after fighting broke out between home and away contingents in the match, which West Ham won 2-1 to continue their improvements on the pitch, while the club will ban 200 individuals for offences including abusive language and missile throwing.
Wednesday’s outbreak was the latest, and most severe, case of trouble at London Stadium. There have also been incidents documented during games against Watford and Middlesbrough, with fans chanting in the latter match that they “should have stayed at the Boleyn”, the ground they left last season.
Standard Sport understands that the club will put in place a five-point plan that will include physical changes to the infrastructure of the former Olympic Stadium, with focus being placed on improving the segregation of away fans.
The club’s plan includes:
- Widening segregation lines on the lower tier of the ground to prevent missile throwing
- Creating higher barriers and a 10 metre wide sterile area on the lower concourse walkway (the scene of much of the violence in Wednesday’s match)
- Segregating home and away fans upon exiting the stadium through the construction of a physical barrier on either side of the away supporter turnstiles
- Permanently banning perceived “risk groups” from the stadium and issuing video cameras to a group of stewards inside the stadium
West Ham’s next home game will be against Stoke City on Saturday November 5, while the London Stadium will host its next derby match just under a month later when the Hammers take on Arsenal on December 3.
Issuing banning orders to 200 supporters will, the club hopes, have sufficient impact to ensure there is no repeat of the violence that has marred West Ham’s stadium move and the decision has the backing of manager Slaven Bilic.
“It should be stopped from the beginning,” Bilic said on Friday. “You don't want to say, 'yeah they have the same problems abroad, it's worldwide' and then it grows up.
West Ham and Chelsea fans clash - in pictures
“On the other hand, it's much less here than anywhere. We have those few countries who don't have it like England (and) Germany.
“You are one of the few, an oasis, that is still very good and it's great when the media is a little bit overreacting, because it should be zero tolerance, there's no such thing as overreacting.”
