West Ham players accused by UEFA of protecting families from Alkmaar thugs

West Ham players climbed over billboards in an attempt to protect their families from far-right AZ fans. Photo: Twitter/@calcioinglese

The consensus was that the players had no choice but to intervene when AZ Alkmaar ultras broke into the section where the players' families and friends were sitting after the Dutch side's semi-final defeat.

Post-game events are likely to be included in the official report, with the possibility of an indictment under Article 15 concerning misconduct by players and officials, including provocation by fans.

< p>UEFA's supervisory, ethics and disciplinary body hears all cases independently of UEFA's management. Individuals charged by UEFA inspectors may, if found guilty, appeal and seek a reprieve.

West Ham players have reacted to the violence in the stands. sympathy. Former West Ham captain and Telegraph Sport columnist Joe Cole, who attended the game as a pundit, said the players had no choice. He wrote: “As far as the West Ham players are concerned, I hope that no allegations are being considered by UEFA in this regard. They did what they had to do.”

AZ Alkmaar is facing a closed stadium due to the chaos as the club fails to ensure adequate safety for the players. families are drawing increasing criticism.

Security in stadiums is ultimately the responsibility of the host club, not the police. Security experts say AZ were "obviously" at fault.

"AZ had to make sure they had some kind of safe environment for visiting fans" said Rowland Stone, a veteran former Metropolitan Police officer who now works with Premier League clubs.

West Ham first-team manager Kevin Nolan has also called for tough penalties from UEFA, telling BBC 5 Live & # 34;I'm disgusted that they came and went because of family, which they did"

Stone, who spent over 30 years at the Met before founding Tyler Security, said: & #34 ;Obviously, someone didn't do enough. It is clear that the friends and families of the players should be placed in the safest sections of the stadium, where there should be more stewards@