During the match between West Ham and AZ, there were actions by the West Ham supporters not to be proud of. This time there was no clash between fanatical supporters groups, but relatives of AZ players were harassed.
AZ family members harassed by West Ham fans
During the game, some supporters of West Ham United realized that there were Dutch fans in their midst. Several family members of AZ players, trainers and board members were not in the two away fan sections, but were given a place in the main stand at the London Stadium. General manager Robert Eenhoorn saw that they were attacked by some home fans.
He immediately intervened and ensured that the AZ supporters were relieved and given a new place. Pascal Jansen’s girlfriend and children, among others, were in that position, as well as Eenhoorn’s wife. Jansen was only told afterwards what had happened in the stands.
“They were somewhere above us,” Jansen explained afterwards at a press conference. “I don’t know exactly where, but we shouldn’t make it bigger than it is. The fans were not happy about it and after our goal there was some consternation. Robert stopped by to reassure me. I just talked to them and everything is fine again. They were shocked, but are now safely on the bus.”
Pascal Jansen is disappointed
Pascal Jansen was not satisfied with AZ’s performance in the Conference League semi-final against West Ham United. The Alkmaar trainer saw a vulnerable West Ham United, but AZ could not take advantage of it enough.
“It has to be better,” was Jansen’s crystal-clear conclusion at the press conference afterwards. “It’s not that hard. We lost, so you didn’t do well enough.” Still, according to Jansen, there could have been more: “In the first phase they stormed, but after that we were in control and we scored a good goal.”
According to Jansen, AZ did not get the most out of a visit to London. “We have to be able to play towards even bigger opportunities. When you hear the stadium raging against their own team, there were more options. But then it has to be cleaner in West Ham’s half. That’s the challenge for next week,” he said.
