Forum | Non-Football Related

West Ham and Fiorentina have BOTH been charged by UEFA with the "throwing of objects" in relation to incidents at Wednesday's Europa Conference League final. Hammers have additionally been charged for its fans' "invasion of the field of play", while La Viola have also been charged with "lighting of fireworks" by UEFA who say the matter will be decided in due course.

Local Police said 23 fans were arrested in Prague, of which only ONE was a West Ham fan, the rest were Fiorentina supporters. 17 of the 22 fans of the Italian club that were detained were those 'Ultras' who attacked Hammers fans in the Tekila bar in central Prague.

Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was struck by something, probably a vape, thrown from the West Ham end in the first half of the game in Prague causing the Referee to call a temporary halt to the game while the player received treatment for a nasty gash on the back of his head.
As soon as the stupid fan threw the object it became obvious Hammers would be in for a metaphorical kicking by the powers that be, what is more of a surprise is that UEFA are actually charging Fiorentina over the alleged incidents! However, before those looking from afar think justice will be carried out fairly, they should examine video and audio footage of the Italian crowd, admittedly a very small minority, who were making Monkey noises and movements each time Mikey Antonio got the ball in the 2nd half of the game.

Throwing a Vape or what ever other object it might have been was a serious offence, Biraghim could have been more severely injured, he could have lost his sight! Therefore there can be absolutely NO sympathy for the culprit, who should receive a life ban, but neither should there be ANY tolerance of the blatant racism exhibited by the Fiorentina supporters and neither should ANY club be allowed to compete that have a known Ultra contingent with a history of causing violent disorder both in and out of grounds.

Fans and their Families are entitled to go to games without the fear of being attacked, the authorities in Europe, particularly in Spain and Italy have turned a blind eye to the actions of these Ultra groups for FAR TOO long! Are they waiting until someone is killed before they take any firm action?

Only a meaningful punishment will deter fans from such anti social and sometimes extremely dangerous behaviour, those that are innocent should be protected, but those guilty of 'football crimes' should be prosecuted and their clubs severely sanctioned.

What will UEFA decide to do regarding events before, during and after the Europa Conference League final? Next to bugger all is what we think, but don't be surprised if they throw the book at the newly crowned Champions! - Ed

The sinking of the Titanic was brilliantly made into a black and white movie entitled 'a night to remember' in which the band played on as the ship was slipped in to the sea, the musicians knew they had no hope of survival because of the lack of life boats but they played on until the bitter end.

Fortunately, Hammers fans night to remember has much happier connotations as the fans and players were able to truly celebrate en masse the club's first significant silverware for over half a century with an open top bus ride through the crowded streets of East London on a glorious evening in a blazing sun more akin to much warmer climes!

The sea of Claret and Blue stretched for miles as the procession 'kicked off' from the Hammers statue of the great Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters right next to the old Boleyn Ground and proceeded incredibly slowly to its final destination outside the Old Town hall in Newham, the exact same route that Hammers previous open top parade had done all those years ago.

The atmosphere was electric and eclectic as fans of all ages and from every group you could imagine gathered to party like there was no tomorrow. It might be referred to by some as the 'Micky Mouse' Cup, but the UEFA Conference Cup is the newest of European competitions that was designed to give 'minnows' a chance but has now become a much sought after trophy least ways because the winners gain automatic qualification for the more desirable Europa League.

"fifty years of hurt"

For many fans in attendance this was the FIRST time they had seen their beloved Irons attain ANY silverware at all, watching others pick up trophies regularly had become part of the DNA of a Hammers fan, but all that changed with Wednesday evening's 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the final in Prague.

European football beckons for the club for the third year running, West Ham will be competing in the same competition as Liverpool and Brighton whereas fierce rivals Tottingham have to make do with the much derided Conference League, Chelsea didn't even make the cut for ANY of Europe's competitions!

Special European nights were nearly attained at great cost as the Irons struggled even to stay in the Premier League due to a dire domestic season that saw the club only ensure its survival with three weeks remaining. Obviously next season's domestic campaign HAS to be much better, but for now fans can revel in being one of Europe's 'top dogs' and long may it continue, it is to be hoped that fans won't have to wait another 50 years for the next trophy!

There is a vast amount of uncertainty to be cleared up with regards to player recruitment, who will stay and who will go is still very much in the air, but for now fans can look forward to the future, however uncertain, and enjoy their memories of what was a 'night to remember'. - Ed

They came, they saw, they conquered! That was just the Press! Apart form a disgraceful act of stupidity which involved a deranged fan hurling a vape at one of tonight's opponents, Hammers fans bathed themselves in glory by ingratiating themselves with the locals in Prague and creating a carnival atmosphere as they took over the town!

The game might not have been pretty on the eye, however it was a really dramatic final that could have gone either way. Fiorentina came to play act, foul, time waste and con the referee. The Ref obviously had been given a word in his shell like at half time regarding how he was being duped because after the restart he began handing out yellows to the Viola and not paying as much attention to their whinging.

The end of first half goal that Fiorentina had chalked off by the narrowest of margins could have been a complete game changer, as it was it was fractionally off side and Hammers lived to fight another day! Benny the Penny's spot kick gave Hammers a deserved lead early in the 2nd half but the massive Irons contingent's joy was short lived as the Italians struck back within a few minutes.

With the scores level it was Fiorentina who were in the ascendancy and Hammers were under the cosh, however they stuck to their task and restricted the opposition to very little meaningful posssesiin where it really mattered. The game looked set to go to extra time when 'Pacman', who else? Slid through an inch perfect pass for Jarrod Bowen to spring the offside trap and race on to score past the flailing keeper.

All hell broke loose but Hammers maintained their discipline and saw out the huge amount of extra time to raise the club's first trophy in over FIFTY THREE YEARS! Pacqueta was immense as were most of the players. Kehrer was superb having to come on for the injured Zouma in the 61st minute and performed admirably in whatwas a real battle.

Declan Rice raised more questions than answers with his statement regarding whether he would be leaving the club or not, but that is for another time. Now is the time to celebrate, rejoice and probably acquire a bit of a head ache. West Ham are MASSIVE every where they go! - Ed