AZ Alkmaar have apologized for the attack on West Ham United in their Europa Conference League semi-final.
A brawl breakout after the referee brought the game to a close and some sections of the away stands were attacked.
In a statement, AZ Alkmaar said: “Unfortunately, we cannot use the word ‘supporters’ for these people.”
Dutch professional football club confirmed that they will evaluate the incident afterwards.
The statement also added that:: “While everyone hoped for a historic European match, it turned into a pitch black evening due to the events occurring at the referee’s final whistle.”
“It turned into a night to reflect on with shame. Not because of the football game played, but because of the behavior of some visitors.”
“What happened is beyond all bounds. The club again sincerely apologizes to West Ham and the thousands of well-minded AZ supporters who have also been inconvenienced by the misconduct.”
“AZ is a civilized club where sportsmanship and norms and values are paramount. The club will do everything possible, together with the authorities involved, to identify these persons and to take appropriate measures.”
Kevin Nolan who is West Ham’s first team coach has urged football body UEFA to take action and issue tough sanctions.
Nolan speaking on 5 Live Friday Football Social said: “If this was England, there would be lots of sanctions put on us. I hope they put loads of sanctions on the Dutch.”
“I am disgusted that they would come and go for family which is what they did.”
A West Ham fan who sat close to the attacked area confirmed that there was no police close and the stewards could not cope with the crowd.
He went ahead to describe the incident as being scary at the AFAS Stadion in the Netherlands.
A fan, Russell Raphael, who spoke to the BBC News Channel said: “There were stewards there but no police to stop them.”
“More than 30 of them in balaclavas somehow breached their area and were running towards us.”
“Some very brave West Ham fans, about 10 rows to our right, were doing their best to stop them, the stewards were doing their best.”
“The players instead of celebrating with the main away support panicked and saw their families being threatened, so they very understandably ran to get involved.”
“These [fans in] balaclavas, hooded, all dressed in black, it is a scary thing and we were very lucky not to be physically involved.”
West Ham United ace Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma were among the players that dived in to intervene, while David Moyes’ 87-year-old father reportedly sat in the stands.
Futballnews understands that no member of the players’ families was injured in the brawl.
West Ham United qualified for the Europa Conference League final after winning the second leg tie 1-0 which gave them a 3-1 win on aggregate.
UEFA is reportedly going to review reports from the AFAS Stadion before any decision will be taken against AZ Alkmaar.
The Dutch Police are also investigating the incident but there have been no arrests for now.
