Hammers duo punished

“Ref, you’ve probably been paid” – Declan Rice shouts at referee after match 😳 – YouTube

Declan Rice’s incredible outburst against the referee of the match between the Irons and Eintracht Frankfurt  has cost him his place in the opening Europa Conference League play-off match next season.

UEFA has banned him and manager David Moyes who had volleyed a ball at a ball boy in an earlier game.

Declan – understandably but unwisely – is seen throwing accusations at the ref  in a video which emerged following West Ham’s Europa League semi-final defeat.

It denied us the chance of a Final clash against Rangers following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to the German side who went on to win the competition.

UEFA vowed to investigate both Rice and Moyes over the incidents and have announced the results on the pair’s actions.

Moyes will miss the first leg of the play off tie in August while Rice will miss both legs.

West Ham need to come through  to qualify for the Conference League group stage proper.

The Hammers will then face six European games, 16 Premier League games and a Carabao Cup tie before the break for the World Cup after the first week of November.

The draw for the play-off round takes place on August 1st.