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Video has emerged of West Ham player Lucas Paqueta engaged in a furious brawl with AZ Alkmaar ultras last night after hooligans started attacking Hammers fans after the final whistle.
West Ham players leapt into the crowd to defend their families from violent AZ fans, who started attacking a group of travelling Hammers fans sitting behind the dugout.
Lucas Paqueta, Flynn Downes and Saïd Benrahma were among those who joined the melee, with video footage capturing the players scrapping with AZ fans as they attempted to defend their loved ones.
West Ham’s sporting director Mark Noble also rushed over to help protect the players from the Dutch hooligans, who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.
Captain Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen were also spotted confronting members of the crowd, while Noble attempted to restrain Michail Antonio, who leapt over advertising boards to defend the besieged Hammers fans.
Elsewhere thoughout the ground, a group of West Ham fans could be seen defending the family stand from AZ fans looking to gain entry to allow others time to escape.
Members of the coaching staff could also be seen berating stewards for their failure to intervene.
West Ham manager David Moyes, whose 87-year-old father was reportedly among the crowd, was among those angered by the situation.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: ‘We’ll need to wait for the dust to settle to see what it is but the biggest problem is that is the area where the players have all their families in.’
‘That is where the problem came, and a lot of players were getting angry because they couldn’t get to see if they were OK.
‘What I don’t want to do in any way is blight our night. It wasn’t West Ham supporters looking for trouble.
‘Was I worried? Yeah, my family were there and I had friends in that section. You’re hoping they would try to get themselves away from it.
‘Security wanted to take me inside, but I had to make sure my players weren’t involved.’
Meanwhile, former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole, who was working pitchside for BT Sport, said: ‘It’s absurd. Ridiculous grown men, AZ Alkmaar fans attacking the fans where families were sitting, our friends and colleagues. The players tried to break it up.
‘You have to look at UEFA and AZ Alkmaar with things like that. Turning up with balaclavas throwing punches, it’s just ridiculous. The players are rightfully concerned, families, friends, kids over there. Ridiculous in the modern game, pathetic.
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During last week’s first leg at London Stadium, family members of AZ players had been involved in a confrontation with West Ham fans.
AZ boss Pascal Jansen said: ‘What happened last week was very unfortunate and then you get the same feeling as what happened tonight.
‘I feel a little bit ashamed that it happened in our stadium but you have to control your emotions.’
West Ham FC has been reached for comment.
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Lucas Paqueta rushed to defend West Ham fans when they were attacked by AZ Alkmaar ultras.
