Sullivan: Life bans for thugs
WEST HAM joint-chairman David Sullivan has apologised to Manchester United for the attack on their team bus and vowed to hand life bans to the thugs that marred the last-ever match at Upton Park.
The Hammers’ 3-2 victory was overshadowed by ugly scenes outside the ground before the game.
The kick-off had to be delayed by 45 minutes after the late arrival of United’s coach, which was pelted with bottles and other missiles as it approached the stadium.
Sullivan had initially blamed the Red Devils for the delay, saying: “If you check the coach there won’t be any damage to it.”
But he backtracked after seeing the smashed windows and yesterday released a statement that read: “When I was asked about the incident prior to yesterday’s game, I was unaware of the damage that had occurred to the Manchester United team bus. I want to apologise to Manchester United for that damage and assure them we will be doing all we can to track down those responsible and ban them for life. This
morning I have already tasked my senior team to work with the police to identify them as their behaviour belongs in the past and not in a future that promises so much for our great club. I want to be clear – their behaviour was completely unacceptable and does not represent our club or our values.
“If we were to have scripted how our final game at the Boleyn would have played out, it wouldn’t have been much different to last night. The West Ham family all celebrated our legends and former players in a truly fitting ceremony to say goodbye to our home of 112 years.
“Sadly, the actions of a very small minority risks overshadowing those celebrations.”