After the match between AZ and West Ham United, AZ supporters caused riot. The Alkmaarders were eliminated on Thursday in the semi-finals of the Conference League by the English, and some did not simply accept that. A group of AZ supporters sought confrontation in the main stand.
General director of AZ apologises to West Ham after riots
In the AFAS Stadium, things worsened after West Ham fans harassed the relatives of the Alkmaar players and trainers a week earlier. A group entered the main stand through a fence, where they engaged in combat with West Ham supporters. As several family members were being attacked, players from the Londoners also got involved in the altercation. Robert Eenhoorn, general director of AZ, was one of them.
Eenhoorn reflected on the conversation with ESPN and said, “It was chaotic. I had hoped to be at the gate in time, but it was too late. I observed a variety of people walking by. Then, you wish for some degree of tranquilly. This is awful, really awful. I apologise to West Ham for this unfortunate event. We had a similar incident last week, albeit not quite as unpleasant. At that time, we were able to stop it, but now there was conflict.”
Police and stewards had to be involved in Alkmaar on Thursday evening
Eenhoorn witnessed it and clarified exactly what was happening. “Guys got through the barricade and into the main grandstand. As I stood in the middle, I became aware that I had limited options. Many were up against many. They included several of their athletes as well. You don’t even need to consider what might happen to it. I can understand why they stood up for them because there were family watching in the stands. I would have followed suit identically,” he acknowledged.
“Everything was in order, so I took a closer look at the fence. It’s not a weak fence, though. You presume that it will. In the next days, both the police and we must assess this. See what could have been done more effectively. I don’t mind when people act irrationally, but this was a lot against a lot,” he said.
