Incident at Alkmaar match
UPDATE - 13th September 2023
WHUST has now seen the decisions of UEFAs Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body regarding what happened during and particularly after the final whistle at our match against AZ Alkmaar on 18th May 2023. .
Key points include the UEFA Match Delegate’s report: “despite a good sense of cooperation leading to the match, the way a major issue at the end of the match has handled was inadequate”
Despite AZ Alkmaar requesting police support, there was a delay in response by the police due to police deployment and knowledge of the ground.
It is acknowledged a lack of security allowed AZ Alkmaar supporters to reach West Ham fans. This includes not preventing the movement of ultras towards the main stand. In response to the UEFA investigations, AZ Alkmaar stated: “AZ Alkmaar acknowledged that it placed a dozen stewards at the segregation gate to prevent the supporters from forcing this gate, but due to incredibly large group and explosion of violence, our (AZ) stewards only could act to a certain level before their own safety was in danger.” AZ Alkmaar summarized that the Riot Squad was not ready to act directly because of faults in their preparation and directions.
The report of findings recognizes: “there was no police or security personnel to prevent the upcoming attack and situation from escalating, or to protect adequately and immediately WHUFC Cat 1 supporters”.
This isn’t good enough and left West Ham supporters at high risk.
For this particular incident UEFA’s decision is:-to fine AZ Alkmaar 50,000 Euros and to order AZ Alkmaar to play its next (1) UEFA competition match as host club behind closed doors, for crown disturbances and its failure to ensure that spectators cannot move from one sector to another. Said match behind closed doors is suspended for a probationary period of two (2) years, starting from the date of the present decision.
WHUST will ask further questions
What went wrong with safety planning?
What went wrong with the police response?
Why were AZ Alkmaar supporters able to migrate in such large numbers with no response?
Was the category of the game, medium risk, correct and what was the basis for this decision?
The full report is below:
19th May 2023
WHUST members who were at the game have reported that there was no trouble where the bulk of the West Ham fans were congregated and the police provide them with good security.
The incidents that we saw appeared to involve a masked and hooded gang in pre-planned and unprovoked attack on the friends and family members of players. This appears to be a significant failing on the part of the security and police in terms of intelligence and prevention as well as a lack of officers in place to provide adequate protection for a vulnerable group. We spoke to our counterpart fan group at AZ Alkmaar ahead of the game, along with Football Supporters Europe, and we are seeking urgent talks with them again to find out more.
UEFA needs to up its game in terms of providing fans with a safe and secure matchday experience.
We urge any supporters that witnessed what happened last night after the game, to contact West Ham United Supporters' Trust.