WEST HAM have pleaded with fans not to try and enter the stadium at next week’s clash with Rapid Vienna after accepting a Uefa ban on away support.
The Hammers say they have “reluctantly” accepted the punishment banning travelling support at their Europa League match in Austria despite it leaving thousands out of pocket.
Over 1,700 tickets were already sold to supporters who have forked out over £500 each on travel and accommodation to watch the game next Thursday.
But this week Uefa decided to ban away support from following West Ham for one game as punishment for crowd trouble in the last match against Genk earlier this month.
That decision left the Hammers fuming – and mystified as they were unaware of any serious incidents of trouble at the 2-2 draw in Belgium.
But Uefa have provided evidence a small group of ticketless fans stormed the turnstiles for the match, leaving the London club with no choice but to accept the punishment.
And now they are desperate to avoid a repeat sanction potentially barring them from selling tickets for a knock-out match in the competition by turning up in Vienna next week and attempting to get into the stadium.
A club statement said: “West Ham United can confirm that the Club has reluctantly accepted sanctions from UEFA in relation to our Europa League Group H away fixture against KRC Genk on Thursday 4 November.
“The Club’s acceptance of the sanctions follows receipt of the written reasons from UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) relating to the incidents which have led to West Ham United supporters being unable to attend the fixture in Vienna and the Club being fined.
“Despite the Club’s robust processes around our own security and operations in support of our ticketed fans who travelled to Genk, evidence has been presented to confirm that a small number of ticketless individuals caused disturbances and illegally gained entrance to Genk’s stadium.
“West Ham United condemn the behaviour of this group of individuals and we are working to identify them following their actions, which have now ultimately led to our supporters – the vast majority of whom behaved impeccably in Belgium – being punished and resulting in David Moyes’ team being forced to play in Austria without the backing of the Club’s fans, whose loyal and passionate support has spurred the Hammers on during an unbeaten opening four games of the Europa League adventure so far.
“While the Club accepts the sanctions, we also wish to place on record our disappointment at the extremely short notice of the measures, which were received 11 days after the fixture in Genk and just over a week ahead of the match against Rapid Vienna which has limited our options significantly, and has sadly impacted supporters who have booked return travel and accommodation in Austria.
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“The Club has had to consider these supporters and the impact on them both for this fixture and future fixtures if this process was subject to further delays.
“Now that attendance at the match is no longer permitted, West Ham United strongly urges supporters NOT to travel to Vienna next week.
“Fans will not be granted access to the Allianz Stadion and any attempt to enter the stadium could lead to further sanctions for the individuals and the Club in the future.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
