UEFA are set to take a strong stance on the incident, having already punished the Premier League outfit over a similar situation. In November 2021, Hammers supporters were barred from a trip to Rapid Vienna after missiles were thrown during a Europa League clash with Genk.
After winning Wednesday’s game – West Ham’s first major trophy since 1980 – the East Londoners will enter the Europa League next season. But their fans could be set to miss at least their first European clash as punishment for the behaviour of some of their fellow supporters.
West Ham have pledged to liaise with the help identify those responsible for the missiles being thrown inside the Fortuna Arena, Prague. “We will work with the police and other stakeholders to review the incidents and act against anyone found guilty of an offence,” a club statement read.
“In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police and will be given an indefinite ban and therefore be unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the club. There is no place for this kind of behaviour.”
Former West Ham star Joe Cole told BT Sport: “It’s moronic behaviour. We’ve praised the West Ham fans and rightly so, they’ve been very well behaved. But it only takes a handful of idiots to do something like that.
“I’ve had it myself when you get hit with things, but if someone takes someone’s eye out… it needs to be sorted out and taken out of the game.”
Meanwhile, West Ham are set to sell captain Declan Rice this summer. Co-chairman David Sullivan confirmed that the 24-year-old midfielder will leave with the club’s best wishes, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich supposedly interested in a transfer.
Asked if Rice has played his last game for West Ham, Sullivan told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements. It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
“It’s cost him £10million [in lost wages] to stay at West Ham in that time. And he wants to go. You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
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