FOUR police officers were injured as fans ripped up seats, hurled missiles and threw flares to plunge West Ham’s clash with Anderlecht into chaos.
Riot cops tried to separate rival sections of supporters in sickening scenes near the end of the Hammers’ 2-1 Europa Conference League win.
Police were forced to intervene at the London Stadium on Thursday night after violence broke out during West Ham’s Europa Conference League Clash with Anderlecht.
Police have entered the London stadium now on mass after Anderlecht fans continued to throw flares and seats pic.twitter.com/EpE9CV9oxn
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) October 13, 2022
Rows of officers stood between fans of the two clubs as they fought in the stands.
The violence is thought to have started with the Anderlecht fans, who ripped out seats to be used at missiles during the game.
One officer was hit on the head by a chair and another suffered a suspected broken wrist as trouble sparked near the end of a tight game.
In total four officers were hurt, with two needing hospital treatment.
One man was arrested for the alleged assault of an officer with a further 12 arrested for other offences.
Anderlecht later issued an apology for the problems – which will be investigated by Uefa – as flares were thrown, engulfing parts of the stands in orange smoke.
West Ham United secured qualification from UEFA Europa Conference League Group B thanks to a 2-1 win over RSC Anderlecht at London Stadium.
A fourth straight win in Group B was set up by a dominant first-half performance in which the Irons struck twice in the first 30 minutes.
Benrahma free-kick brought the opener, before Jarrod Bowen put in the Hammers’ second from the edge of the area.
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While Anderlecht struck a late penalty through Sebastiano Esposito, the Hammers battled to a deserved victory. David Moyes’ outfit now have two group stage matches remaining against Silkeborg IF and FSCB, where they need just a solitary point to secure top spot in Group B and secure direct progression to the Round of 16.
