March 22 – Troubled English Premier League club West Ham United have meted out lifetime bans to five supporters who invaded the pitch during a recent 3-0 defeat by Burnley.
Several fans have also been banned for life for throwing coins or objects “with intent to injure or harm”.
Hammers joint-owner David Sullivan was hit by a coin as fans protested in front of the directors’ box. The club said it had taken “swift and decisive action” after acts of “severe violence and physical aggression”.
The match was marred by widespread unrest with supporters concerned about an alarming dip in form and demanding the exit of Sullivan and other board members.
The club says it expects to issue further bans “based on witness statements and the high quality CCTV footage available, prior to our next home match against Southampton on March 31.”
“We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of violence that endangers the welfare of others, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for all spectators.”
West Ham have come under severe criticism ever since moving into their new ground now known as the London Stadium, formerly known as the Olympic stadium and used for the 2012 London Games, in August 2016. The move was heralded as a new era for the club with increased capacity and more revenue that would enable them to compete against the Premier Leagues biggest teams. Instead West Ham find themselves battling for their lives just above the drop zone.
The club are also in the middle of a legal row with their landlords over who should pay to make the London Stadium more supporter friendly and who should fund running costs. A source of public contention since they were granted the right to move to the stadium via a 99-year lease with ground rent of £2.5 million a year.
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