Van Persie responds from AFAS Stadium to riots after AZ

Robin van Persie condemns the events after the match between AZ and West Ham United. The former top striker was present at the AFAS Stadium as an analyst for BT Sport and saw things go wrong when AZ hooligans broke through a fence and attacked West Ham supporters, including relatives of the West Ham players.

West Ham players reported to the brawl. Tomas Soucek was completely out of his mind after the attack and dealt hard blows to AZ fans, reports The Telegraph. Jarrod Bowen, Declan Rice and Saïd Benrahma also joined in the fighting. Van Persie understands that. “The West Ham players and families can be happy and celebrate. This should not have happened. It is a great pity. Winning and losing is part of it, this should not happen.”

Co-analyst Joe Cole expresses shame at the events. “It’s absurd, insane. Grown men, AZ supporters, are attacking the part where the West Ham supporters are sitting. The players tried to interfere to calm things down. UEFA needs to look into this. Football should be for everyone “The players were naturally concerned for their families. Pathetic. Investigate who these are and hand them lifetime stadium bans, this is unacceptable.”

Carlton Cole, a former West Ham player like Joe Cole, was also shocked by the misconduct. “There was no reason for this. West Ham has done its job and has not been disrespectful to AZ in any way. Of course you are happy after such a late 0-1, you cannot hide that. These are the same guys who played tonight set off fireworks at the West Ham players’ hotel, wearing balaclavas and hoods.”