MP: Irons should play to empty stadium if more trouble

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An MP has today declared the Irons should be forced to play behind closed doors if there are repeats of the incidents which marred last night’s great victory over Chelsea.

“None of these problems were unforeseeable given the nature of the stadium,” said Mark Field MP.

He told the Evening Standard: “Within the next 14 days, the West Ham board should present a detailed plan to the Football Association and Premier League outlining what they are going to do about security,”

Field is the all-party parliamentary football group vice-chairman and he added: “There have been clear failings. If there is a repeat of the violence, the next two or three home games for West Ham should be played behind closed doors.”

Karren Brady said the club would ban all fans involved in the violence. The club say it is finalising the identification of 200 individuals.

She tweeted: “Football doesn’t want these people and, with over 55,000 supporters on our season ticket waiting list, we certainly don’t need them at West Ham.

A spokesperson for the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) – which advises the government on the matter – said it is “monitoring the situation very closely”.

The SGSA also issues licences to 92 football clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League, as well as to Wembley and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

It says it is “aware and involved in issues relating to the London Stadium”, adding: “All partners must act together to prioritise safety.”

The Football Association and English Football League are also investigating. A league spokesman called the incidents “distasteful and unwelcome”.

Police commander BJ Harrington said: “There were a minority of people who attended the match who were clearly intent on being involved in confrontation and violence.

“Despite extensive work with both clubs and a large and robust policing operation, there were unacceptable incidents inside and outside the stadium, before, during and after the game.”

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