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      Jacob Ramsey savaged by own team-mate after saying ‘it’s only Conference League’ to giddy Aston Villa fans

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      JACOB RAMSEY was savaged by one of his own Aston Villa team-mates.That’s after saying “it’s only Conference League” to giddy fans after a final day win against Brighton.
      Jacob Ramsey was told off by an Aston Villa pal after commenting on the Europa Conference LeagueCredit: Getty
      Ramsey made his remark as giddy Villa fans cheered their side on to European footballCredit: INSTAGRAM/DGOFICIAL
      Villa wrapped up an impressive season with a 2-1 victory over the high-flying Seagulls.
      Unai Emery’s latest win saw his Midlands side secure a seventh-place finish ahead of Tottenham.
      And it also sealed qualification to next term’s Europa Conference League – the continent’s third-tier competition.
      Fans attempted to boost their team’s hopes before kick-off by laying on a rousing welcome at Villa Park.
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      Supporters sang and chanted around the stadium, with many declaring in unison: “We’re all going on a European tour.”
      But young superstar Ramsey, who signed a five-year contract last year, appeared to be unimpressed with the reception.
      As video footage from inside Villa’s team bus captured the moment on camera, Ramsey was heard saying: “The f**k? It’s only Conference.”
      However, this did not go down well with a teammate, who gave the prodigy an immediate slap-down.
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      Ramsey’s pal snapped: “Shut up man, have some respect bro. Are you mad? We’ve got that on record as well.”
      Midfielder Ramsey has been at Villa since 2007, working his way up through their academy to become a mainstay in Emery’s side.
      He scored six goals in 38 games this season, taking his overall record to 12 goals in 101 outings.
      Ramsey was recently named Villa’s Young Player of the Year for the second time in a row.
      And he will be hoping to progress even further under Emery next term. More

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      Police arrest seven AZ Alkmaar fans as 26 men turn themselves in after attacks on West Ham players and staff

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      SEVEN AZ ALKMAAR fans have been detained by cops following a police appeal after last week’s disgusting attack on West Ham supporters.The Dutch supporters reacted angrily to the Hammers’ 1-0 win in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
      Seven AZ Alkmaar fans have been detained by police after the attack on West Ham supportersCredit: Getty
      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.
      Moyes also revealed how his elderly father was caught up in the mayhem.
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      Then, footage shot by a witness in the stadium showed how one brave fan stepped in to defend those behind him in the terrifying scenes.
      Dutch authorities used TV show Opsporing Verzocht to air CCTV images of the suspects involved in the incident in an appeal to find the culprits.
      That led to a total of 26 men handing themselves in to cops, with seven of them being detained, but police say a further ten suspects are still being sought.
      A spokesperson said: “There were people who we were not initially looking for, but who were afraid that they were in one of the photos.
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      “It is therefore not the case that they are automatically all suspected of open violence.”
      Alkmaar are set to face a hefty Uefa punishment which could include a fine and partial or even full stadium closure after being sanctioned twice in the past 15 months for poor fan behaviour.
      Uefa are still deciding whether or not to launch a separate investigation into the incident, although no charges are likely to be announced until after the final in Prague next month.
      But Alkmaar fans were banned from Sunday’s 3-0 win at NEC Nijmegen.
      Meanwhile, hero West Ham fan Chis Knoll says he “nearly cried” when the club offered him a ticket for the final after fighting off Alkmaar thugs.
      The 58-year-old stood up to the yobs and fought dozens of them at the same time as he defended the team’s loved ones.
      His defiance was caught on camera and he quickly reached celebrity status among the West Ham faithful, who now dub him the “Angel of Alkmaar”.
      Knollsy received a standing ovation from the home crowd on Sunday before West Ham’s final game of the season at London Stadium against Leeds.
      And he also said it took him over an hour to leave the stadium as fellow fans expressed their gratitude for his bravery in the Netherlands.
      A total of 26 men have handed themselves in to cops after a police appeal
      A West Ham fan bravely fought off hordes of Dutch fansCredit: Twitter
      Chris ‘Knollsy’ Knoll has insisted he is no hero despite his actionsCredit: Enterprise More

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      Hero West Ham fan ‘Knollsy’ fights back tears after he is given ticket for Europa Conference League final

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      WEST HAM fan Chis Knoll “nearly cried” when the club offered him a ticket for the Europa Conference League Final after fighting off thugs at AZ Alkmaar.Knoll, who is better known as Knollsy, was at the stands in the semi-finals when the Hammers beat AZ 1-0 and confirmed their place in the final against Fiorentina on June 7.
      West Ham fan Chris Knoll fought off football hooligans at AZ AlkmaarCredit: Getty
      Knollsy was rewarded by West Ham with a ticket for the Europa Conference League FinalCredit: Getty
      Football hooligans attacked the away end where relatives and friends of the players as well as coaching staff were seated after the full-time whistle.
      However, the 58-year-old stood up to the yobs and fought dozens of them at the same time as he defended the team’s loved ones.
      Knollsy’s defiance was caught on camera and he quickly reached celebrity status among the West Ham faithful, who now dub him the “Angel of Alkmaar”.
      That experience didn’t scare Knoll off as he was desperate to find a ticket for the final in Prague.
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      And a club official he met before the AZ game called him up and gave him one for free to thank him for protecting the team’s families.
      Dad-of-four Knollsy told The Mail: “I am at work and when I got the call today, I nearly cried. I am, so pleased, so happy. I am made up.”
      He added: “She [club official] said she was sitting two rows behind me and saw what happened. She said I had been very courageous and that I deserved a ticket.
      “It’s ironic that she was the one who phoned me today. I remember joking with her earlier about whether she could get me a ticket if we got to the final.
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      “I know how difficult it is to get a ticket. I am so happy at this.”
      Knollsy received a standing ovation from the home crowd on Sunday before West Ham’s final game of the season at London Stadium against Leeds.
      Knoll revealed it took him over an hour to leave the stadium as fellow fans expressed their gratitude for his bravery in the Netherlands.
      Knollsy said: “What a reception, a standing ovation, my own song and I never bought a single beer.
      “It took me the best part of an hour to walk half way around the stadium at the end of the game on Sunday.
      “I was made to feel like the people’s champion. I noticed the amount of women thanking me for looking after their families. I’m on the crest of a wave at the moment’. More

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      West Ham fans denied chance to watch Europa Conference League final at London Stadium… thanks to BASEBALL

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      WEST HAM’S plans to screen the Europa Conference League final at the London Stadium have been scuppered by Major League Baseball.The Hammers will feature in their first major Euro final for 47 years when they take on Fiorentina in Prague on June 7.
      West Ham won’t be able to screen the Conference League final at London StadiumCredit: Alamy
      London Stadium will be transformed to host an MLB gameCredit: Reuters
      It is customary for clubs to put on a mass showing of a final at their home ground for those not able to make the trip.
      However, this will now not be possible with the London Stadium being transformed ahead of an MLB double-header between the Chicago Cubs and St Louis Cardinals.
      As an alternative, West Ham have staff on the ground in the Czech Republic this week in an attempt to organise a fan park for ticketless supporters.
      The Irons’ allocation in the 19,370-capacity Eden Arena is just 5,780 – with over double that number expected to fly out to Prague.
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      East London has played host to baseball since 2019. The last few years have seen fixtures cancelled due to Covid-19, but the sport will continue to feature in the UK until at least 2026.
      West Ham’s power over these events is complicated owing to the fact they do not own the London Stadium outright, instead paying an annual rental fee to the London Legacy Development Corporation since their switch from Upton Park in 2016.
      Meanwhile, over 10,000 police officers from all over the Czech Republic are being recruited to monitor the final – with 25,000 ticketless fans expected to descend on Prague.
      Uefa have called an emergency meeting in the host city this Friday involving Britain’s National Police Chief’s Council, Scotland Yard, Italian and Prague Police.
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      This comes after AZ Alkmaar yobs attacked West Ham supporters in the stands in Holland just after the final whistle of their semi-final second leg.
      Players got involved in the bust-up with the ultras to defend their families sitting in the area that was targeted. More

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      Declan Rice and three other West Ham stars could be punished by Uefa after protecting families from AZ thugs

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      WEST HAM players face potential punishment by UEFA after jumping to the stands to protect their families at AZ Alkmaar.The Hammers defeated Alkmaar 1-0 in the Europa Conference League semi-finals on Thursday to seal a place in the final where they will face Fiorentina on June 7 in Prague.
      West Ham players are facing a potential UEFA ban after the ugly scenes at AZ AlkmaarCredit: Getty
      West Ham players tried to climb to the stands to protect their familiesCredit: Getty
      W3est Ham players’ relatives, friends and guests were attack by AZ Alkmaar thugsCredit: Getty
      However, the East Londoners’ celebrations didn’t last long as a number of AZ thugs attacked the visitors’ section, which included the players and coaching staff’s family members.
      Captain Declan Rice, Said Benrahma, Flynn Downes and Michail Antonio all tried to intervene once the horrific scenes unfolded and looked set to jump to the stands.
      According to The Telegraph, they could all face a UEFA ban unless they could convince a commission these were exceptional circumstances.
      The football governing body may allow the process to run past next month’s final.
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      That means Rice, Benrahma, Downes and Antonio are “highly unlikely” to be barred from the crucial clash with Fiorentina.
      However, UEFA officials will also feel that they have to follow the process.
      There is a strong feeling West Ham players were left with no other choice but to intervene when AZ yobs swarmed their relatives, friends and other guests.
      But the post-match events are likely to be included in the official report, with the possibility of a charge under article 15 regarding misconduct of players and officials.
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      Alkmaar will also be charged for the behaviour of their supporters after the match.
      The Eredivisie outfit face a stadium ban over the chaos as the club was responsible for security as the hosts.
      West Ham’s first-team coach Kevin Nolan urged UEFA to issue some tough punishments.
      Nolan said: “I am disgusted that they would come and go for family, which is what they did”. More

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      Hero West Ham fan ‘Knollsy’ given standing ovation as he takes his seat for Leeds clash after fighting off AZ mob

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      WEST HAM fan “Knollsy” was given a standing ovation from the Hammers faithful after his heroics during the crowd trouble at AZ Alkmaar.Dutch ultras attempted to storm the away end and attack West Ham supporters following David Moyes’ side’s triumph in their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday.

      Knollsy fought off the AZ Alkmaar thugs after the game on ThursdayCredit: Twitter / @fumanchu6666

      But Knollsy, real name Chris Knoll, could be seen stopping the AZ thugs getting to the travelling fans as he fought them off at the top of the stairs.
      He made his triumphant return to the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon for West Ham’s clash with Leeds.
      And he was given a warm reception by his fellow Irons supporters as they stood to applaud him as he made his way to his seat ahead of the game.
      One West Ham fan also shared a picture with “Knollsy” on the tube on the way to the game.
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      West Ham fan Freddie Bonfanti was in the crowd on Thursday night and took to social media to post: “Knollsy the legend. Stopped the home fans from getting to the players’ families.
      “We were stormed by AZ’s supporters. Knollsy has recently had a hip replacement and simply could not run.
      “He is also a proud man and he was genuinely concerned about the players’ partners and ex-West Ham players sitting all around us.
      “He did what he had to do. I am proud to call him a mate and glad he stopped what could have been a much worse incident.
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      “We were sitting behind [West Ham defender] Thilo Kehrer’s girlfriend. Knollsy was worried about her and walked to the top of the stairwell, fending off the storming Alkmaar fans.
      “He is a lovely bloke and did what he felt was right at the time. He stopped those fans.”
      London-born Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen admitted he was “ashamed” of the ugly scenes, while Moyes also revealed how his elderly father was caught up in the mayhem.
      The West Ham boss 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.”
      Lucas Paqueta, Aaron Cresswell, and Flynn Downes were all involved in the chaos too and were held back by security and stewards.
      Director of football Mark 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 forward Jarrod Bowen were also seen confronting members of the crowd, with the former appearing to throw an object in their direction.

      Meanwhile, West Ham’s match with Leeds comes as the club celebrate reaching the Europa Conference League final.
      They will face Fiorentina on June 7 as they bid to end their 43-year wait for a trophy. More

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      Inside AZ Alkmaar ‘Ben Side Ultras’ firm and their bloody history of stabbings & pipe bombs after West Ham fans attack

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      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.
      West Ham fans fend off AZ ‘Ben Side’ Ultras from gaining access to the hospitality areaCredit: Getty
      Groups of AZ and Feyenoord hooligans clashed in a pre-arranged showdown on waste ground in 2017Credit: Facebook
      AZ Alkmaar thugs tore down a 12ft gate to storm the away stands
      One West Ham supporter fought off the thugs as they tried to get up stairs towards the away endCredit: GETTY
      AZ Alkmaar fans let off flares before the Europa Conference League game against West HamCredit: Getty
      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.
      Dutch police say they are trying to identify the culpritsCredit: Alamy
      Trouble flared during the second-leg Europa semi-final tieCredit: AFP More

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      Shocking moment AZ Alkmaar Ultras smash down 12ft gate to storm towards West Ham families in ‘pre-planned’ attack

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      SHOCKING video shows AZ Alkmaar hooligans tearing down a 12ft stadium gate to unleash chaos on West Ham fans and their families.The Dutch fans were accused of a “pre-planned” attack after disgraceful scenes marred The Hammers’ 1-0 win in the Europa Conference League last night.
      AZ Alkmaar thugs tore down a 12ft gate to storm the away stands
      The Dutch fans reacted angrily to West Ham’s 1-0 win in the Europa Conference League
      One West Ham supporter fought off the thugs as they tried to get up stairs towards the away endCredit: GETTY
      West Ham fans and their families tried to defend themselves against the attackCredit: GETTY
      The Dutch fans reacted angrily to West Ham’s 1-0 winCredit: TWITTER
      Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola and Flynn Downes headed towards the worrying scenes
      AZ Alkmaar Ultras were seen engaging in ugly skirmishes ahead of the match.
      The Ben Side thugs were seen storming the streets outside the stadium and pelting Hammers fans with chairs.
      And footage inside the stadium shows them surging up the stairs before toppling the huge fence separating them from West Ham supporters.
      Several West Ham players and staff, including sporting director Mark Noble, rushed to help protect their familes from the thugs – who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.
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      One Hammers fan in particular has been hailed for singlehandedly fending off the hooligans as they tried to get up the stairs towards the away end.
      West Ham stars Alphonse Areola, Flynn Downes and Lucas Paqueta were also spotted heading towards the worrying scenes as security held them back.
      Hammer fans have slammed cops and security for “significant failings” after the chaos last night.
      “The incidents that we saw appeared to involve a masked and hooded gang in pre-planned and unprovoked attack” West Ham United Supporters’ Trust told the Evening Standard.
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      “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.”
      Director of football Noble tried in vain to restrain Michail Antonio, who leapt over advertising hoardings to defend the fans and families.
      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.
      Former West Ham striker Marlon Harewood was also among the away fans cheering on the side and was pictured amid the chaos.
      Members of the Irons coaching staff including Kevin Nolan were seen berating stewards for their failure to intervene.
      Reacting to the trouble, BT Sport pundit Joe Cole said: “It’s absurd. Grown men attacking the West Ham fans. Players were trying to get involved to break it up.
      “AZ Alkmaar fans throwing punches is ridiculous. There were families. Football is for everyone. It’s ridiculous in the modern game. Pathetic.
      “We had friends in there. Ban them for life.”
      His colleague Carlton Cole added: “There was no need for it.
      “West Ham have come here, done their job and not disrespected them in any shape or form. The families of the players are over there. Sometimes emotions take hold of you.”
      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.
      “We need to wait for the dust to settle. The biggest problem was the area players have friends and families in. 
      “The players were angry they couldn’t see if they were okay. We need to wait and ask the officials what happened.”
      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.
      But this is not AZ Alkmaar’s first incident of a brutal skirmish with opposition fans, stadium break-in or pre-planned brawl.
      David Moyes’ Hammers progressed to the final 3-1 on aggregate and will now meet Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
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      Pablo Fornals’ 94th minute strike sealed their victory, sparking the violent fans to attack friends and family of West Ham players and coaching staff sat behind the dugout.
      Former Hammers striker Marlon Harewood was in the away end with West Ham supporters
      A concerned Declan Rice can be seen frantically trying alert the stewards to something More