THE AZ Alkmaar “Ben Side” Ultras have a violent history of stabbings and pipe bombs, gaining a horrifying reputation over the years.
It comes after thugs tried to force their way into West Ham’s hospitality area following the side’s Europa Conference League semi-final clash in the Dutch city.
Two Hammers fans stood their ground as the yobs, dressed in all black, attempted to force their way beyond the stairwells leading up to the stands.
Fortunately, the West Ham fans were able to deter the mob from gaining access to where loved ones of the East London side’s players were gathered.
It’s not the first time hooligans, supposedly supporters of the team, have brawled with opposition fans – tainting the image of the club.
While the majority of Alkmaar’s fans are peaceful a group of vocal ultras has created major problems.
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PRE-ARRANGED SHOWDOWN
In 2017, groups of AZ and Feyenoord hooligans clashed in a pre-arranged showdown.
Around 20 fans from each side met up on a remote wasteland for a scrap as they threw punches at one another.
The location was on the outskirts of Alkmaar, some 50 miles from Feyenoord’s ground.
The opposing fans lined up to face one another, with one side in white and the other in black.
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They then charged at each other before the brawling started.
It was reportedly dubbed a “20-20” scrap with each side agreeing on the rules beforehand.
Both sides agreed on no weapons and anyone who had fallen on the ground wasn’t allowed to be hit.
Dutch police launched an investigation, saying they would not tolerate fighting between hooligans.
In another incident tainting AZ’s image, fans forced their way into a closed-off stadium.
The game between AZ and NEC Nijmegen in November 2021 was meant to be held behind closed doors due to the risk of spreading Covid-19 in the country.
However, after just 15 minutes AZ fans broke into the stadium and let off fireworks in the ground, bringing the game to a halt.
Fireworks and flairs had been let off by fans outside the stadium before the group entered the AFAS Stadion.
Thug dressed in black and with masks and hoods covering their faces, were seen leaping over the hoarding with some even able to get onto the pitch.
Others ignited flairs in the far corner of the ground, with red smoke lighting up the stand.
Referee Jeroen Manschot was forced to stop the game but play was resumed once security had removed the thugs.
CLASH WITH DUNDEE FANS
A clash also broke out with Dundee fans and police earlier this season ahead of the European Conference League qualifier in August.
Fans reportedly threw glass bottles at each other as cops were called to restore order.
Some fans took shelter in nearby pubs as glassware rained down on them and the violence escalated.
Cops used batons to strike fans in an attempt to disburse them and force them away from the pub doors.
AZ fans are also said to have attacked a group of Scottish fans as they made their way to the Alkmaar stadium.
Footage appears to show Alkmaar yobs ambush the Dundee fans as they carried orange flags and banners around the Dutch city.
The violent group, once again wearing black and with their faces covered, were seen charging at the Scots before fighting broke out on the street.
ORIGINS OF ‘BEN SIDE’ SUPPORTERS
AZ’s hooliganism is said to stem from the club’s early days with a group known as the “Ben Side” supporters.
The name refers to where the group sits in the Jan van der Ben stand, which was named after a predecessor club’s chairman.
The group claims they “made their mark for the first time” during an away match at Feyenoord in 1977, according to an AZ supporter website.
There they clashed with opposition fans, throwing beer bottles and cans at players.
In another notorious meeting, the group clashed with Haarlem in June 1977.
Riots ensued over the game, with many supporters brining knives, and cops later made several arrests.
TEENAGER STABBED
A 16-year-old was stabbed and around 28 people arrested during a particularly horrific altercation in March 1986 between AZ and PSV fans.
The teenager, a PSV fan who was not identified, was rushed to hospital.
At the same game, confrontations between supporters also saw a home-made pipe bomb lobbed into the PSV stand, although luckily no one was injured, The New York Times reported.
The “Ben Side” group has continued to show its support online in recent years.
Its members appear dressed in black, raising flairs, letting off fireworks and causing havoc at both home and away games.
The group though claims it is only interested in “improving the atmosphere in the stadium”.
Dutch police say they are continuing to analyse the footage from yesterday’s attack.
The force said: “Together with AZ, the municipality of Alkmaar and the public prosecution service we will evaluate last night’s incidents, which we regret having happened. This kind of behaviour has no place in football.”
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UEFA is also expected to carry out its own probe into events.
Dutch police said they had made no arrests but added they were trying to identify violent fans from footage.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
