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Riot policemen ‘injured with one hit on head with chair’ as West Ham vs Anderlecht descends into chaos

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POLICE officers were injured as fans ripped up seats, hurled missiles and threw flares to plunge West Ham’s clash with Anderlecht into chaos.

Riot cops tried to separate rival sections of supporters in sickening scenes near the end of the Hammers’ 2-1 Europa Conference League win.

One flare was hurled into the middle of fans at the London StadiumCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Dozens of police had to step in as trouble spread across the standsCredit: AP
The tie was interrupted on the pitch as well as in the stands. with one fan taking the ball from Hammers’ keeper Alphonse Areola
Fighting and flare-ups struck across the two-tiered stand
Supporters of Anderlecht were seen clambering forward as they tried to escalate the confrontationsCredit: AP
A fan trips over after stewards intervene in front of Alphonse AreolaCredit: AP

One officer was hit on the head by a chair and another hurt his arm as trouble sparked near the end of a tight game.

Anderlecht later issued an apology for the problems – which will be investigated by Uefa – as flares were thrown, engulfing parts of the stands in orange smoke.

Stewards were forced to tackle visiting supporters who burst onto the pitch.

One intruder was wrestled to the ground in front of Hammers’ keeper Alphonse Areola.

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And another nicked the ball away from the stunned-looking French star.

West Ham boss David Moyes condemned the ugly incidents.

And commenting on the flares and seat-throwing, an Anderlecht spokesman said: “The club will take it up with the fans and Uefa.

“We want to apologise to West Ham. We don’t tolerate it. We strongly condemn this behaviour.”

Hostility soared when flares were thrown from the Anderlecht section towards Hammers’ fans
Chairs were hurled at rival supporters amid the shock outburst of violenceCredit: Reuters
Anderlecht fans set off flares in the stands at London StadiumCredit: AP

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At one stage, a batch of West Ham fans sung “Come on you Irons” as they looked over at the disturbance.

Flares had also been launched before kick-off, with one almost landing on the pitch.

But it was towards the end of the tie that tensions boiled over.

Stewards struggled to cool things down before armoured police were called to de-escalate the situation in the final 10 minutes.

Ugly scenes marred the Europa Conference League clashCredit: Rex
Alphonse Areola looks on in shock as security staff wrestle with a fanCredit: Rex
Police piled up the stairs in an effort to keep supporters apartCredit: Rex

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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