Exclusive: UEFA accused of putting West Ham fans’ lives at chance by not responding to the ‘obvious threat’ of AZ Alkmaar supporter attack by 1 of the authors of the independent report into final year’s Champions League final chaos
AZ Alkmaar supporters stormed boundaries just after dropping to West Ham on Thursday eveningUEFA will open up an investigation into the violent scenes in the Netherlands Scott said UEFA have failed to implement the 21 recommendations from report
UEFA have been accused of putting West Ham fans’ lives at possibility by presiding about a ‘major stability and protection failure’ at Thursday’s Europa Meeting League semi-remaining by 1 of the authors of the unbiased report into the disturbances at past year’s Champions League remaining.
In a strongly-worded interview with Mail Activity Professor Clifford Stott claimed UEFA have unsuccessful to apply the 21 recommendations designed by the Unbiased Evaluation Panel soon after the Liverpool followers had been caught up in a series of horrific crushes ousted the Stade de France. He also criticised UEFA for not responding to the ‘obvious threat’ posed by AZ Alkmaar Ultras to travelling supporters in advance of the recreation.
UEFA are established to open up an investigation into the violent scenes that marred West Ham’s 1- win, and have now asked for CCTV footage from AZ Alkmaar, but Stott thinks that the European governing overall body are also to blame for failing to be certain checking out admirers had been protected by stewards and police.
The Professor of Social Psychology at Keele College was 1 of nine associates of the unbiased evaluate panel recognized adhering to the Champions League ultimate past May, which soon after a 9-month investigation found that UEFA were ‘primarily responsible’ for the struggling seasoned by Liverpool enthusiasts in Paris.
A violent mob of AZ Alkmaar supporters stormed up techniques to clash with West Ham admirers right after the Dutch side shed the Europa Meeting League semi-remaining
Ultras wore black hoodies to cover their identities, with Hammers fans striving to fend them off
‘This is one more key safety and security failure at a major UEFA occasion, and UEFA are eventually responsible,’ Stott instructed Mail Sport. ‘The assaults from the AZ Ultras ended up absolutely horrific, and could quickly have led to admirers sustaining major injuries or even deaths.
‘As we concluded in our report into the Champions League ultimate UEFA have “main obligation” as it can be their party, and they really should have responded to what was a distinct menace to public purchase. As with Paris 2022 this was a crystal clear failure of interoperability. UEFA pledged to act on our 21 tips after the report was released, but the proof implies this is not the scenario.’
Stott believes that the danger posed to West Ham supporters became ever more clear on Thursday afternoon, and that UEFA unsuccessful to answer.
‘There was a lot of proof on social media during the afternoon of Alkmaar enthusiasts performing in an aggressive manner,’ he reported. ‘There was an evident threat, but it didn’t lead to any adjustments on the ground.
‘As before long as the danger emerged accountability for securing the stadium need to have been passed from AZ Alkmaar to the police, but this didn’t transpire. The online video evidence demonstrates the Ultras ripping down the fencing to attack the West Ham admirers and players’ households, with only a handful of stewards and no police existing.
‘UEFA look to have finished almost nothing to assistance continue to keep West Ham admirers secure past night so how can we have faith in that they will consider the suitable methods forward of the last in Prague, or the Champions League final in Istanbul.’
Clifford Stott (pictured) reported UEFA have unsuccessful in their pledge to act on tips from the report of previous year’s Champions League remaining chaos
Michail Antonio (centre) jumped more than the advertising hoardings immediately after violence broke out
Chaos erupted at the Champions League last past calendar year as Liverpool fans have been unwell-addressed
Stott also criticised UEFA for not making contact with the unbiased overview panel due to the fact their damning report was printed in February.
‘We’ve not had any interaction with UEFA considering the fact that our report was printed,’ he reported. ‘There’s been no attempt to attract on our blended abilities or to check with how our suggestions can be put into follow.’
AZ Alkmaar apologised to West Ham and their admirers yesterday, but UEFA are waiting to acquire studies from the match officials and delegates right before commenting.