Attack on Families of West Ham Players, 7 People Detained by Dutch Police

A total of 26 men involved in the attempted attack on the families and colleagues of West Ham United players in the Netherlands last week have reported to the police, with seven detained and 10 others still being sought, Dutch media reported on Wednesday (24/5/2023).

Dutch police used a television program on Tuesday to call for help to try and identify the hooligan, showing an image of the suspect involved in the attack at the end of Thursday’s European Conference League semi-final second leg between AZ Alkmaar and the London club.

Dutch police have identified 24 fans as suspects in an apparently planned attack on the AZ Stadium in Alkmaar after the home club lost. More people than thought to be involved have gone to police, although 10 from the initial list are still being sought.

Police had given those involved a deadline on Tuesday to report if their images were shown on a national television program called “Opsporing verzocht” (requested an investigation), which aired calls to identify criminals caught on camera, suspects, missing persons or missing bodies. known.

“There were people we weren’t looking for initially but were afraid they might be in one of the photos,” a police spokesman told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.

“Therefore, it does not mean that they are all automatically suspected of open violence.”

The home fans broke through the fence and attacked the West Ham group sitting in the reserves behind the team dugout at Stadium AZ at the final whistle.

A scuffle ensued in which the West Ham players, including captain Declan Rice, attempted to intervene, with some running to help relatives and friends who were under threat.

An underage boy kicked a West Ham player, the TV program showed while covering his face.

The attack was condemned by AZ Alkmaar, who called the actions of their supporters “shameful”.

Meanwhile, the municipality in Nijmegen has banned AZ supporters from attending Sunday’s Dutch league match against home team NEC.