The families of the West Ham United players were among the travelling supporters who were attacked by AZ Alkmaar fans at the end of their European semi-final on Thursday night.
West Ham players attempted to join the fray after the final whistle, as the AZ supporters stormed the section of the ground in which the travelling friends and families were seated.
In frightening scenes after the match, which had been won by a stoppage-time strike by West Ham’s Pablo Fornals, terrified children were seen fleeing across the seats in an attempt to avoid the unfolding brawl.
A number of West Ham players, including Michail Antonio, Flynn Downes and Said Benrahma, tried to join the fray as stewards appeared powerless to stop the advancing AZ fans. A video later emerged appearing to show Declan Rice throwing an object into the crowd.
A West Ham supporter sitting in that section of the stadium told Telegraph Sport that black-shirted and hooded AZ supporters had charged towards the travelling fans at the final whistle of the match after smashing down a barrier.
He added that the assailants “did not get very far” before meeting fierce resistance, and said that the bigger concern was for young Dutch families who had been caught between the two groups.
David Moyes, the West Ham manager, had friends and family of his own in that section of the stadium.
“I cannot explain what happened or why,” said Moyes. “I can only tell you the players were involved because it was the family section and their friends and families were in it. That was probably the reason for the reaction. It certainly wasn’t West Ham fans looking for trouble.
“My family were there and I had friends in that section. You’re hoping they would try and get themselves away from it. I didn’t recognise it [at first] because I was too happy. Security wanted to take me inside, but I had to make sure my players weren’t involved.”
Club officials, sponsors and families are often seated in corporate areas behind the dugouts, within the home section, at matches in Uefa competition.
This led to problems in last week’s first leg at the London Stadium, when family members of the AZ players and coaches had to be moved at half-time after a clash with West Ham supporters. There is no suggestion that there was the same level of violence in London last week as there was on display in Alkmaar on Thursday night, however.
“I feel ashamed that it happened in our stadium,” said Pascal Jansen, the AZ manager. “It should not be happening. You have to stay in control of your emotions.
“A few players were worried because they had family members in the stand where it happened and I can imagine what it must have felt like.”
Former West Ham player and Telegraph Sport columnist Joe Cole, speaking on BT Sport, said after the match: “It’s absurd. Grown men attacking the West Ham fans. Players were trying to get involved to break it up. AZ Alkmaar fans throwing punches is ridiculous. There were families. Football is for everyone. It’s ridiculous in the modern game.
“We had the same incidents at Frankfurt last year. It gets a slap on the wrist. We get AZ Alkmaar fans turning up in balaclavas throwing punches. Football is for families. It should be inclusive for everybody. The men that do it and turn up are completely pathetic.
“UEFA have to nail down on this. For so long English football has been in the doldrums talking about hooliganism. We don’t see things like that in England. We have not for a long time inside a stadium. It is other countries in Europe, we get a bad reputation for it but all I saw there was absolutely pathetic.”
West Ham were determined not to allow the incident to overshadow their victory, as they can now prepare for a first European final in almost five decades.
“I’m thrilled,” said Moyes of the result. “It’s a huge achievement to get to any final, let alone a European final. It’s 47 years since we were last here. We were in a semi-final last year. The bit now is to go and win the final.
“We had an incredible 10 minutes [in the changing rooms]. My staff have done a brilliant job and have had to put up with me nagging and not having much time off but if you want to play in Europe and be successful, the game comes with that.”
Declan Rice, the West Ham captain, added: said: “For this club, this has been such a long time coming. We’re so, so happy. You can’t get too excited because there’s one more game to play, but we’re going to enjoy tonight.
“This is what we work for. This is the first time I’ve been able to enjoy a moment like this in a West Ham shirt. Hopefully we can go out with a bang and look back on a positive season.”