West Ham’s Europa Conference League semi-final win over AZ Alkmaar descended into utter carnage last night when several players dove into the stands to protect their families from thuggish Dutch supporters.

A horde of violent Alkmaar fans, clad in all-black and hooded to hide their identities, forced their way into an area of the stands set aside for players’ families to trade blows with West Ham supporters at the final whistle. 

The scrap quickly spiralled out of control as dozens of hooded hooligans flooded into the section holding the family and friends of West Ham’s victorious players. 

Without hesitation, West Ham’s Michail Antonio and Flynn Downes leapt over the hoardings and made a beeline for the stands, closely followed by team-mates Lucas Paqueta and Said Benrahma.

Shocking footage from the stands saw brave West Ham supporters desperately trying to hold back the stream of Alkmaar ultras from attacking the families, while others stood atop a stairwell duking it out blow-for-blow with the oncoming horde.  

Just as it looked as though the violence was set to descend into an all-out brawl, security teams managed to force their way into the melee and separate the crews, with other guards jumping in to hold back the furious West Ham players. 

Meanwhile, one heroic Hammers fan known as ‘Knollsy’ received plaudits on social media for springing to the defence of West Ham defender Thilo Kerher’s girlfriend.

The brave Briton, known to fellow supporters as 'Knollsy', can be seen holding off the Dutch hooligans at the top of a set of stairs as they attempt to flood into the seating of the family stand

The brave Briton, known to fellow supporters as ‘Knollsy’, can be seen holding off the Dutch hooligans at the top of a set of stairs as they attempt to flood into the seating of the family stand

The scrap threatened to turn particularly nasty as fans fended off hooded thugs before players launched themselves into the stands to help

The scrap threatened to turn particularly nasty as fans fended off hooded thugs before players launched themselves into the stands to help 

Michail Antonio (centre) jumped over the advertising hoardings after violence broke out

Michail Antonio (centre) jumped over the advertising hoardings after violence broke out

Lucas Paqueta (right) and Said Benrahma (left) were also among the players to step in

Lucas Paqueta (right) and Said Benrahma (left) were also among the players to step in 

A fan holds off the mob of AZ Alkmaar supporters as they tried to make their way up the steps to clash with West Ham fans after the Dutch side lost the Europa Conference League semi-final

A fan holds off the mob of AZ Alkmaar supporters as they tried to make their way up the steps to clash with West Ham fans after the Dutch side lost the Europa Conference League semi-final 

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One West Ham supporter who witnessed the scrap posted a heartfelt message of thanks and support to Knollsy, who he said had recently undergone surgery for a hip replacement.

‘A bit of context: we were sitting behind Thilo Kerher’s girlfriend. Knollsy was worried about her and walked to the top of the stairwell, fending off the storming Alkmaar fans. He’s a lovely bloke and did what he felt was right at the time. He stopped those fans.’

The message received a stream of support from other social media users who applauded Knollsy’s actions.

One fan compared the supporter standing at the top of the stairs to a hero of the Battle of Stamford Bridge – where a legendry Norse axeman held off an entire Saxon army, killing 40, as he blocked a narrow bridge in 1066.

He said: ‘Buy that Man a beer. It’s like a scene from the Battle of Stamford Bridge – one dude holding back the horde.’

Another chipped in: ‘The spirit of the English, nice work big lad.’

Others compared the supporter on the stairs to Hodor from Game of Thrones and the Spartans in the film 300, where the famed warriors stopped an invading army 100 times their size.

Order was eventually restored and David Moyes’ side could head over to the away end to toast their 3-1 aggregate win, sealed by Pablo Fornals’ injury-time winner which fired West Ham into next month’s Europa Conference League final. 

Dutch police meanwhile said they had made no arrests in the aftermath of the chaos, but added they were trying to identify offending fans from footage.

West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was among the players hugely concerned about their loved ones. 

‘I had family watching the game,’ he said. ‘We were a bit worried about them, you know? Security is the most important thing in a stadium, especially in this kind of event and we were worried about our families.

‘We were very worried about our families. It’s just about security and it was a bit too open for the opposing fans. At the end, they managed to stop them.’

He added that the players were justified in stepping in, before saying: ‘When families or fans are coming to the stadium we don’t want to see things like that. They want to enjoy the event and we want to enjoy it with them as well.’

Stewards watched on as the violent scenes unfolded in the aftermath of the win

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Stewards watched on as the violent scenes unfolded in the aftermath of the win

West Ham fans fended off the hooded attackers in scuffles before it was broken up

West Ham fans fended off the hooded attackers in scuffles before it was broken up

West Ham manager David Moyes said he didn't want the violence to blight the night

West Ham manager David Moyes said he didn’t want the violence to blight the night 

Dutch supporters attacked a section of visiting supporters where the player’s families sat

There was a strong police presence outside the ground before the gamer too

There was a strong police presence outside the ground before the gamer too 

After the game, manager David Moyes said: ‘I can’t explain what happened and why it happened.

‘Players were involved because it was the family section… that was probably the reason for the reaction.

‘I don’t want that in any way to blight the night because the West Ham fans weren’t looking for trouble. Hopefully they’ll look into it.

‘My family were there and I had friends in that section. You’re hoping they would try and get themselves away from it… I didn’t recognise it because I was too happy. 

‘Security wanted to take me inside but I had to make sure my players weren’t involved.’

After last week’s first leg, the family of Alkmaar manager Pascal Jansen was attacked at the London Stadium.

On Thursday after his side’s defeat, he reflected: ‘I feel a little bit ashamed that it happened in our stadium. You have to stay in control of your emotions. A few players were worried because they had family members in the stands and I can imagine what they felt.’

Former West Ham stars Joe Cole and Carlton Cole condemned the actions, with the pair speaking to BT Sport.

Joe Cole called for action from UEFA, as he 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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‘People talk about hooliganism in England. We don’t’ see things like that, we haven’t for a long time. We get a reputation for it. It’s other clubs in Europe, it’s pathetic.’

Ultimately it was a night of celebration for the Hammers supporters who made the trip

Ultimately it was a night of celebration for the Hammers supporters who made the trip

Pablo Fornals netted the only goal of the game as West Ham secured a victory over AZ Alkmaar

Pablo Fornals netted the only goal of the game as West Ham secured a victory over AZ Alkmaar

The semi-final win sees them progress into the UEFA Conference League final

The semi-final win sees them progress into the UEFA Conference League final

West Ham broke off from the unsavory incident and had time to celebrate on the pitch

West Ham broke off from the unsavory incident and had time to celebrate on the pitch  

‘We have friends sitting there. In the modern game, with the cameras in these places, find out who these people are and ban them for life. We were talking about bringing our kids to the final now you second guess when you see things like that.’

Carlton Cole continued: ‘There was no need for it. West Ham came, did their job, didn’t disrespect them. When a goal like that goes in you’re elated, happy, you can’t suppress feelings. 

‘Your family is over there with the fans. You have to understand that. What is that about? It’s the same men that were outside the player’s hotels, setting off fireworks. What are they doing? Chill out.’ 

AZ Alkmaar legend Robin Van Persie added to the criticism, sticking up for West Ham fans as he continued: ‘From the point of view of West Ham, they are allowed to be happy and celebrate together. 

‘This should not happen. It’s a big shame. Everyone is here, there’s a winning and losing team. That’s part of it.’

West Ham boss David Moyes added to the conversation, revealing that his players were concerned for their friends and family in the away end.

‘We need to wait for the dust to settle,’ he said. ‘The biggest problem was the area players have friends and families in. 

‘The players were angry they couldn’t see if they were okay. We need to wait and ask the officials what happened.’ 

DailyMail

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