West Ham vs Chelsea: Slaven Bilic condemns shameful crowd trouble that marred West Ham’s EFL Cup win
Hammer boss saw his side beat Chelsea 2-1 at London Stadium but there were ugly scenes in the stands
SLAVEN BILIC condemned the shameful crowd trouble that marred his Hammers EFL Cup win as “unacceptable.”
Rival thugs ripped up seats and hurled them at each other as they brawled in the stands as things at West Ham’s new stadium once again turned ugly.
Boss Bilic said: “I can say only I have noticed it of course, but the game was on and I was concentrating more on telling my defender Aaron Cresswell to watch the game, not what was happening off the pitch.
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“I don’t know exactly what happened, but we are totally against it as a club and a team. For those kind of things to happen in England is totally unacceptable.”
Violence flared towards the end of this tie when a group of Chelsea yobs broke through a barrier and fought with Hammers fans.
Stewards battled bravely to try to keep the fighting fans apart as supporters behind them pelted each other with missiles.
Photos posted on Twitter claimed to show fans who had suffered badly cut heads after being hit by coins and other objects.
The fighting went on for several minutes before dozens of riot police raced into the stadium to restore order.
This is not the first outbreak of violence at West Ham’s new stadium this season.
All but one of the Hammers’ five Premier League home games this term have included some kind of disorder.
The FA are certain to launch an inquiry into Wednesday night’s events – and West Ham have vowed to assist with any probe into the trouble.
A Chelsea spokesman said: “The club is extremely disappointed to see the crowd disturbances at the end and we condemn such behaviour.
“I am unable to comment further until tonight’s incidents are investigated properly.”
Blues boss Antonio Conte said: “I must be honest, I didn’t see the situation because we were playing.
“But I don’t like this type of situation because it is important to see always the right atmosphere.
“England is used to doing that and we must maintain that because this country is fantastic with this aspect.
“I am sorry this situation has happened.”