A WEST HAM fan has been hailed for singlehandedly fending off AZ Alkmaar thugs in scenes compared to Game of Thrones.
The Dutch fans reacted angrily to the Hammers’ 1-0 win in the Europa Conference League last night.
The result meant David Moyes’ side progressed to the final 3-1 on aggregate and will now meet Fiorentina.
Pablo Fornals’ 94th minute strike sealed the victory, sparking AZ Alkmaar hooligans to attack a group of travelling friends and family of the Hammers’ players and coaching staff sat behind the dugout.
We reported how several West Ham players, including sporting director Mark Noble, rushed to help protect them from the thugs – who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.
Now footage shot by a witness in the stadium shows how a fan stepped in to defend those behind him in the terrifying scenes before another equally-brave individual stepped in too.
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After a small army of Dutch yobs broke through a gate and descended into the away stand, they attempted to come up a staircase but found an almost immovable object their way in the form of the heroic fan.
The clip shows the individual, dressed in a green T-shirt and black coat, swinging for his life to defend himself and those around him from the attack.
Despite being vastly outnumbered, both he and another Hammers fan manage to fend-off the onslaught and the actions soon went viral online following the disgusting incident as he was quickly hailed on social media.
One fan wrote: “The legend. Stopped the home fans from getting to the players’ families.”
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Another tweeted: “That’s an amalgam of the 300, Game of Thrones (Hodor) and Star Wars Episode 3 (the high ground). Outstanding work.”
A fellow fan said: “Two blokes at the top of the stairs took on Holland and won.”
As another said: “Not a West Ham fan but fair play to them two and making a stand.”
A fellow fan wanted him “knighted” while others called for the club to give them free tickets to the final.
One wrote: “Needs final tickets for him and his family . Free a season ticket for life. And free beers. Up the Hammers.”
While a fellow footy fan added: “Get this man sorted with a ticket and travel to the final.”
Lucas Paqueta, Aaron Cresswell, and Flynn Downes were all involved in the chaos and were held back by security and stewards.
Director of football Noble tried in vain to restrain Michail Antonio, who leapt over advertising hoardings to defend the fans and families.
Members of the Irons coaching staff including Kevin Nolan were seen berating stewards for their failure to intervene.
While captain Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen were also seen confronting members of the crowd, with the former appearing to throw an object in their direction.
London-born Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen admitted he was “ashamed” of the ugly scenes, while Moyes’ elderly father was also caught up in the mayhem.
Moyes said: “I can’t explain what happened and why it happened. The players were involved because it was the family section. That was probably the reason for the reaction.
“I don’t want that in any way to blight the night because the West Ham fans weren’t looking for trouble. Hopefully they’ll look into it.
“My family were there and I had friends in that section. You’re hoping they would try and get themselves away from it. I didn’t recognise it because I was too happy.
“Security wanted to take me inside but I had to make sure my players weren’t involved.”
In last week’s first leg at the London Stadium, members of Jansen’s family were moved from their seats behind the away dugout after a verbal confrontation with West Ham fans.
Jansen added: “What happened last week was very unfortunate, but I feel a bit ashamed it happened in our stadium.
“It should not be happening. You have to stay in control of your emotions.”
There were also clashes between West Ham and AZ fans ahead of kick-off, who again were masked as they caused mayhem on the streets of Alkmaar.
A local news outlet has described a “grim atmosphere” as footie fans in hoodies sparked fights earlier in the evening.
In footage shared to social media, one person was captured being horrifically attacked by a group, with one member using what looked like a bicycle as a weapon.
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On Twitter, more clips revealed large swarms of fans racing through the streets holding what appears to be chairs.
It is understood West Ham supporters were caught up in the mix when Alkmaar and FC Groningen fans brawled.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
