Yesterday Claret & Hugh ran a story about the large number of Manchester United supporters seemingly gaining entry to home sections of the London Stadium on Tuesday night.
As reported, a series of social media posts and TikToks from United content creators showed them boasting about acquiring tickets in the Billy Bonds Stand, celebrating the visitors’ goal and even claiming to have secured an entire row of home seats.
I also referenced a video of a United supporter parading through the food kiosks within the security perimeter holding a sign reading “West Ham are $#!T”. The clip ended abruptly after a pint of beer was poured over the supporter’s head, following footage of her taunting West Ham fans about looming relegation while bragging about her online earnings.
It’s amazing the brazen nature of Manchester United fans openly mocking West Ham fans in home sections didn’t end in more serious outcomes
The whole episode has once again highlighted obvious health and safety concerns — particularly should West Ham United face Millwall FC next season.
Relegation Scenario Raises Serious Questions
The point was made in the C&H comments section by regular contributor Irons 57, who wrote:
“In the event that we should be relegated, that would raise the prospect of a visit by Millwall. The loose ticketing and stewardship would lead to a full-blown riot, and who would bet against — at the very least — some very serious injuries? It would inevitably lead to a ground closure. Who would be responsible then? The club, the fans or the stadium owners?”
It’s a sobering observation.
Following yesterday’s blog, numerous fans have contacted us with their own accounts. One supporter said:
“On the concourse before kick-off there was one guy with a Man U scarf. The stewards just told him to hide it inside his coat — didn’t kick him out or anything.”
And that appears to be only the tip of the iceberg.
There are clearly serious stewarding concerns at the London Stadium. Claret & Hugh have approached the club — not for a throwaway line, but for a meaningful declaration of intent on how they plan to address a problem that is becoming increasingly prevalent.
It’s an issue that has now caught the attention of some of the largest football media accounts online.
The question is whether the club will act before something far more serious forces their hand.
This is a problem if we continue to use grown up stewards. Just in the stadium for the moment. We will soon have problems on the trains, buses, walking to the ground and in the shopping centre.
Just because these people have bought tickets and taken the time and expense to watch a game of football doesn’t give them the right to upset our offended faithful.
Good on you Gonzo to addressing this problem with the club Whether they reply is another thing.
Gloating plastic glory-hunters in the home sections. That’s modern football for you. Have some of these fools even been to a football match before? It wouldn’t have happened at Upton Park.
Still, I understand that some of these idiots were dealt with by our lot. I don’t condone violence, but if you act a certain way then you can get yourself in trouble.
I bet the stewards would react differently if a group of West Ham fans infiltrated the away end