Anyone attending the Europa League cup tie last night between West Ham and 'Rabid' Vienna, as opposed to those watching on TV would have noticed a large banner that 'suddenly' appeared on the hoarding where the away fans were located which read 'God Loves Ultras'.
It was quickly ordered to be taken down but it set the tone and was indicative of the away support, perhaps they were just blown away by the unbelievable pyrotechnic display that preceded the game which was at full WHO live volume!
Three arrests were made following disturbances during the game, 'Rabid' Fans hurled objects at Hammers fans on numerous occasions, while a number of Rapid fans jumped over the advertising barriers. The Met Police said two arrests were made for the alleged assault of an emergency services worker and one for possession of an offensive weapon.
'Declan Rice's opener, triggered the first disturbance with a number of the 1,300 Rapid Vienna fans jumping over barriers and objects being thrown between both sets of supporters, after a brief respite trouble continued as Rapid had a penalty chalked off with 20 minutes to go and Said Benrahma's injury time goal agitated the away fans further.
"We want to be a club in Europe and be there regularly. Because of that we want to behave correctly. We don't know who started that but we don't want that reputation," said David Moyes. Uefa are waiting for the referees report before deciding whether to investigate the incidents further.
Whatever 'God's Ultras' thought, they came to the wrong place to exhibit their brand of support, they were lucky the Police in attendance didn't call on the 'tooled up' back up that is available for every fixture due to terrorism considerations. We from the Org witnessed at first hand the'Ultras' trying to cause as much trouble as they could, in the event, a combination of fans who wouldn't put up with, police and security as back up and a shattering loud PA was enough to quell the rowdy visitors behaviour.
Watching the fans of Rapid Vienna was like being in a time warp, it was like going back to the 70's and shows just how far the game in this country has progressed, both on and OFF the pitch. Fans travelling for the return fixture might want to consider their safety, especially if they are accompanied by younger supporters. - Ed
Comments
The Time Machine...
It's been so long, that it is hard to remember a time when these skirmishes were seen as the norm, for football matches in this country...
Those Ultra Idiots came to the London Stadium with fuzzy 40-year-old VHS footage, still fresh in their minds, with only one premium name associated from those days, and that was West Ham United. To be fair, I didn't see that coming and I wasn't fully aware that this issue still exists within European football, but those Ultras must have been in a deep sleep, in which they had just woken up... 40 years too late!
I agree that It is something for our supporters to be mindful of, come the return leg.
It's not big It's not clever.
It's not big It's not clever. I was there in the 70's nuff said. Idiots trying to ignite prehistoric agg. We've moved on, older and wiser....
Handbags!!
From what I've seen it looked like handbags,it was hardly Westham v Millwall in 72!!
Just to add I'm not taking it lightly but the news reports were saying how violent it was! Compared to when there was real hooliganism it was really tame imo...but I do believe wherever you travel abroad for a game you always need your wits about you
Lol… spot on 65!
Lol… spot on 65!
The Joys of the Europa Leauge
And nothing will happen to the Rapid Hooligans but the West ham supporter lad that threw the water bottle back will be on a club ban for sure, and a few of the others as well. they started that and it was all planned they moved down the front just before Dec's goal and fair play to the stewards a couple of the rapid fans tried to get on the pitch. They are in Vienna now nothing will happen to them- Bout time Eufa woke up while Rapid Weins fans are probably working out tactics for a welcoming committee for us. I was thinking of going to the away match in Vienna, but this has put me off a bit, expected this from Dinamo Zagreb but not from Rapid Wein though as was said earlier I never saw this coming, and for a night with kids for a Quid, the first night in Europe, Light show, New statue, and these so-called ultras marred it all for the True football fans who were in the ground- there to support the club they really love- and what will EUFA do about this hooliganism element F*CK ALL.