London Football News

West Ham hit with FA charge

West Ham have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their supporters in the Premier League home match against Burnley on March 10.

Ugly scenes unfolded during the Hammers’ 3-0 defeat at the London Stadium, with some fans invading the pitch and others venting anger at the club’s board.

West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan were forced to leave their seats for their own safety.

“West Ham United FC have been charged for failing to ensure that its spectators conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and that no spectators or unauthorised persons encroached onto the pitch during the Premier League match against Burnley FC on Saturday 10 March,” read the FA’s statement.

With some fans having already entered the field, hundreds of others congregated beneath the directors’ box to protest against the club’s board with the game still being played.

Down on the pitch, West Ham captain Mark Noble grappled one fan to the floor, defender James Collins frogmarched two away and Burnley forward Ashley Barnes tripped another over.

Police had to be positioned along the touchline and specifically around the West Ham bench, where more disturbances appeared to take place.

The scenes were condemned by the club’s then manager David Moyes, London mayor Sadiq Khan and Newham Council, which remains the certifying authority for the stadium.

An emergency meeting with all London Stadium stakeholders, which included Gold and Sullivan, was also called.

West Ham have been given until Thursday, July 5 to respond to the FA charge.




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