Daily Times

LONDON: London police said on Thursday they were holding seven men arrested following violence at the English League Cup clash between West Ham United and Chelsea.

Skirmishes broke out towards the end of the Hammers’ 2-1 win on Wednesday, with police and stewards battling to keep supporters apart as coins, bottles and plastic seats were thrown. There was a heavy police presence in place at the London Stadium, formerly the Olympic Stadium, which has seen repeated violence involving West Ham fans since they moved into their new home at the start of the season.

The seven men were arrested for public order offences and were being held in custody at several police stations. Britain Sports Minister Tracey Crouch was among those calling for anyone involved to be given a life-ban. “No-one wants to see a return to the dark days of the late ’70s and ’80s,” said Crouch in a reference to the years when English football hooliganism was considered to be at its height.

“It is completely right that strong action is taken and that anyone involved in last night’s trouble is banned for life,” added Crouch, a qualified Football Association coach. Meanwhile Crouch’s fellow Conservative lawmaker Mark Field said West Ham should play behind closed doors if there was a repeat of Wednesday’s violence.

Commander BJ Harrington, who led the match-day police operation, said an investigation had been opened. “There were a minority of people who attended the match that were clearly intent on being involved in confrontation and violence,” he said. “There were unacceptable incidents inside and outside the stadium, before, during and after the game.

“We have already made seven arrests and will work tirelessly to identify people involved and bring them to justice.” The police said 30 people were stopped from attending the game prior to the match between the two London sides. Chelsea supporter Paul Streeter said that he and his eight-year-old daughter were pelted with coins while sitting in the disabled supporters’ section of the ground.

“My daughter was hit with seven coins all over her body,” he told BBC radio. “Other kids were hit, it was not just my daughter. “She’s never experienced violence like this before or the aggression we have had to suffer. We want to take this matter further. It is disgusting.