West Ham vs Chelsea violence: Seven arrested as riot police called to clashes which left area like 'bomb site'

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Seven people were arrested as violent clashes erupted between Chelsea and West Ham supporters during the clubs’ EFL Cup derby at the London Stadium.

Riot police were forced to intervene as fans scuffled inside and outside the 80,000-seater stadium, with shocked residents of nearby flats describing the scene outside the ground as a “bomb site”.

Witnesses reported fights and missiles being hurled between rival supporters at the final whistle.

One picture shared on social media following last night’s game showed a Chelsea fan bleeding from the head after apparently being struck by a coin inside the stadium.

West Ham and Chelsea fans clash - in pictures

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Both clubs were quick to condemn the violence following the match, which finished 2-1 to West Ham.

West Ham last night said it would issue lifetime bans to any supporters found to be involved in the violence.

Police today said it had arrested seven men for public disorder offences, while another 30 people were issued with directions under antisocial behaviour laws.

Residents in Stratford condemned the violence on their doorsteps, which follows concerns about the club relocating to the area.

A number of games have been marred by crowd trouble since moving into the former Olympic stadium this season and it was widely predicted last night’s game would be affected.

Clashes: Fans inside the ground
Getty Images

Rebecca Pate, 32, a trade support manager from Stratford, was returning from the gym when she was caught up in crowds of fans streaming out of the stadium.

She told the Standard: “There was chanting and hollering. Trying to manoeuvre through the crowds was horrible. There was a lot of police, sirens and helicopters.

“There are a lot of flats around here it’s a residential area. People were streaming down the road with alcohol on them – big groups of lads making a racket. They were chanting and screaming. It’s unnerving walking home feeling like you’re walking through a bomb site.

West Ham vs Chelsea: EFL Cup In Pictures

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“If people have been fighting there’s a problem. You certainly wish someone would take responsibility.”

She tweeted earlier: “This West Ham stadium is an absolute nightmare- helicopters, mobs of drunken people and police sirens at Stratford station- pain in the ass.”

Harry Hugo, 21, said the local Tesco Express had stopped serving alcohol before the match in an attempt to prevent violence.

The media agency owner said he saw “60 to 70 riot police down my road at about 7pm before the match”, and later watched the commotion from the window of his flat.

He said: “The sirens were going off after the full time whistle and at least 30 riot vans went down the high street. There were fire engines and ambulances. There were about three helicopters. It was non-stop. The Chelsea fans were escorted in a pack down the high street with 50 riot police.

“The issue is it’s late at night. I think during a Saturday afternoon people wouldn’t mind as much but it’s a Wednesday night and people are trying to sleep.”

Other supporters criticised the policing of the fixture following reports that hundreds of Chelsea fans were held first at Highbury and Islington Station.

They were then “slow marched” from Stratford to the stadium by police, which they did not enter until halfway through the match.

One Blues supporter, who said he had not been caught up in the violence, said: “They were clueless, the police – they didn’t know what to do. They had no plans whatsoever.

“They just wouldn’t let us through, and they didn’t give us a reason. It was quite scary, they were running around like headless chickens.”

Fans during the clashes inside the ground 
Getty Images

Metropolitan Police Commander BJ Harrington, who was leading the police operation at the game, said: “Although the vast majority of people left the stadium peacefully and were well behaved, there were a minority of people who attended the match that were clearly intent on being involved in confrontation and violence.

“Despite extensive work with both clubs and the London Stadium partners as well as a large and robust policing operation, there were unacceptable incidents inside and outside the stadium, before, during and after the game.

“We welcome the condemnation from partners and have already started a post-match investigation.

A statement released by West Ham said tickets for the fixture had been “limited to supporters with a recorded West Ham United purchase history”, and promised to work closely with the Met to find those responsible for the unrest.

It added: ”Once identified, those found to have acted improperly will be banned from attending any West Ham United fixtures for life and we will request the courts serve banning orders to prevent these individuals attending any other football.

“We must stress that the overwhelming majority of supporters who have visited London Stadium have supported the team exceptionally and behaved impeccably.”

A Chelsea spokesman said: “The club is extremely disappointed to see disturbances at the end of tonight’s game and we condemn such behaviour.”

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