Stadium Operators, London Stadium 185 have released a statement following events on Saturday:“London Stadium have identified a number of supporters involved in incidents of disorder during Saturday’s Premier League match between West Ham United and Watford. Our stewards and response teams were called to address isolated instances of violent confrontation which resulted in ten supporters being ejected from the stadium and three handed to police.
“In line with our safety and security policies, these supporters will be banned from all stadium events. In addition, we will continue to review CCTV footage and take retrospective action where necessary. Any evidence of crime and disorder will be passed to the police.We remain determined to ensure that all supporters can enjoy the best possible matchday experience in a safe and secure environment. We will continue to work closely with West Ham United to identify and take action against the small number of supporters found to be responsible for these incidents.”
The club have issued ten life bans to supporters in the opening weeks of the season after previous incidents in the opening games.
LS185 has admitted that the ‘buffer zone’ between rival fans must be enhanced but defended their decision not to have police within the stadium, stating that ‘in-fighting amongst West Ham United supporters was not anticipated.’
London Stadium 185 (LS185) say that a further ten supporters were ejected from the stadium on Saturday and three were handed to the police. No fans were arrested. LS185 insist that stewards are expressly told not to film supporters and they intend to enhance the buffer zone and segregation between rival fans.
But no word on whether away supporters can continue to be allowed to stand
I believe the approach taken so far is fans will only be ejected in relation to standing if they threaten violence and take part in violence or verbal abuse of others.
That is the reason only 10 fans from an estimated 7,000 who stood on Saturday were ejected.
The whole of Bobby Moore Lower around 3,000 Blocks 113 & 114 in West Stand and other small pockets (around 1,000) and 3,000 away fans continued to stand.
Am I alone in recalling a percipient article on here at the end of last Season, it may have been by Hugh, pointing out that many of our regular stewards were being “let go”?
Perhaps we are now seeing some of the fruits of that foolishness.
Sean, you’re getting close to the line between independent commentator and apologist. The reason the stewards don’t go into the heart of 6,000 standers is most likely one of basic personal safety. Picking off a few round the edges is much safer.
Was it a coincidence that the implosion on the pitch came just after the first incursion into the crowd changed the atmosphere from a 2-0 celebratory tone to an ominous rumble of discontent, followed by a chorus of “You can stick you f***** letter up your ar*e?” It has to rub off on the players.
The problem is my personal view is the complete opposite of Hugh’s on this matter and I sit/stand in one of the West stand areas who continue to stand. We are a news site and Hugh and I are united that we should just report the news on this issue rather that give our personal opinions on this thorny issue but I agree it is a very fine line to thread at times.
I agree the reason 7,000 haven’t been expelled is one of public safety but believe the club and the operators are taking a common sense approach to this issue. I have always said if the 18 rows in front of me in block 113 sit down I will gladly sit down and that still stands.
However standing is just one element of the issues affecting the new stadium. The lack of a family stand, the flawed fan migration policy and ill thought out away segregation together with poor security and stewarding are at the heart of the current issues.
These are my personal views in the comments section and not those of Claret and Hugh
The ‘matchday experience’ starts badly with not being able to walk through Westfield to the Stadium – what’s this all about?
Are John Lewis or M & S customers affronted by the sight of Football supporters making their way to the Stadium?
This is an insult to us fans – we’re being treated with a total lack of respect – herded like cattle from pillar to post, up and down staircases, around the houses – it’s ridiculous!
The whole sitting/standing thing is getting out of hand – Sullivan and Gold have issued their warning, everyone now knows the present Regulations forbid standing, what’s there to argue about?
I can’t believe that other than using video evidence to retrospectively identify protagonists the Stadium operator is not recognising the risk, these idiots are not ICF there appears nothing organised or premeditated about these flare ups, reenforcing the barrier between away support isn’t going to do much when the stewards aren’t prepared to put themselves in harms way, one proper push from either side of that barrier of poor stewards to open up a gap and all hell will break loose. We all know it, any of us who went regularly in the 80’s have seen all sorts of mayhem and that was with experienced police in the stadium and proper stewards. This is a tinderbox waiting to catch light. I just hope no one gets seriously injured or killed when it goes up.
Well the first ‘big’ game is against Arsenal on December 3rd – if the Stewarding/Segregation/Policing issues aren’t resolved by then there could be a disaster!
The same Westfield banning fans were happy to rent West Ham a shop for 18 months to renew season tickets.