West Ham fans banned from Europa League game after crowd disturbances
West Ham are urgently seeking clarification from Uefa after their supporters were banned from attending their team’s Europa League away tie against Rapid Vienna next week.
The east London club have been left “surprised and disappointed” after Uefa punished them for the crowd trouble that marred their 2-2 draw at Genk on 4 November. European football’s governing body accused West Ham’s supporters of crowd disturbances and throwing objects during the match in Belgium.
The charge has been upheld and West Ham, who are top of Group H, are not happy with the lack of notice from Uefa. They have sold out their allocation of 1,700 tickets for the trip to Vienna on 25 November, but supporters who have already made travel arrangements will now be banned from attending the game.
West Ham, who have also been fined just under £25,500 (€30,000) for the disturbances and another £3,817 (€4,500) for the throwing of objects, said: “The club are urgently seeking clarification from Uefa, particularly given the extremely short notice of the sanction, which will impact our supporters who have already bought tickets and made arrangements to travel to Austria for our match at Rapid Vienna in just over a week.
“We are surprised to receive these sanctions and disappointed for the fans who have behaved impeccably and supported the team throughout and will now be unable to travel to the next away Europa League fixture. The club has requested the full written reasons from Uefa regarding these sanctions and have asked them to expedite our request given that further delay could impact supporters once again.
“The club fully appreciates that supporters will have booked return travel and accommodation in Austria and are stressing this in our dialogue with Uefa. We will update supporters as soon as we are able to with further information.”
Uefa said: “The Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has announced today the following decision for the group stage match KRC Genk vs West Ham United FC (2:2), played on 4 November in Belgium.
“Charges against West Ham United FC: Crowd disturbances, Art. 16(2)(h) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations (DR), throwing of objects, Art. 16(2)(b) DR. Decision: The CEDB has decided to fine West Ham United FC €30,000 and ban the sale of tickets to its away supporters for the next one (1) Uefa competition match, for crowd disturbances, (and) to fine West Ham United FC €4,500 for throwing of objects.”
West Ham are in a commanding position in their group with two matches left. They will secure their place in the last 16 if they earn a point in Vienna.