Hammer fury over late ban

WEST HAM have accepted a ban on travelling fans for next week’s Europa League game at Rapid Vienna but have criticised the lateness of the punishment.

UEFA slapped the ban, and a fine of £29,000, on Hammers after trouble at their game at Genk earlier this month. Ticketless Hammers fans were found to have forced their way into the match – David Moyes (above) watched his side draw 2-2 – and 30 arrests were made after flares were thrown.

West Ham considered an appeal but decided against it after UEFA said there was evidence that 150 fans without tickets had forced their way in. There were concerns that, should the ban be put on hold, fans could be stopped from attending the first away game in the knockout stages.

Hammers vowed to identify any fans involved but hit out at UEFA over the late notice. A club statement read: “While the club accepts the sanctions, we are disappointed with the extremely short notice of the measures. It has impacted supporters who have booked travel.

“Evidence has been presented that a small number of ticketless individuals caused disturbances and illegally gained entrance to Genk’s stadium. We condemn the behaviour of this group and we are working to identify them. Their actions have ultimately led to our supporters – the vast majority of whom behaved impeccably – being punished.”

It is the latest problem to hit the Hammers, who have pledged to compensate fans who have already bought tickets for the game in Vienna next week, in their Euro campaign.

They were fined for crowd trouble during the home meeting with Rapid, and three men have been arrested after a video showed fans hurling anti-Semitic abuse on the flight to Belgium.