Mark Noble clashes with West Ham fan as home protests interrupt Burnley match
Written by News on 10/03/2018
Mark Noble was involved in an altercation with a fan on Saturday as several pitch invasions and crowd protests interrupted West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Burnley at the London Stadium on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Burnley took the lead through Ashley Barnes in the 66th minute – prompting a number of supporters to invade the pitch and approach the West Ham players.
One supporter was thrown to the ground by club captain Noble, who was then restrained by Joe Hart.
Two more fans then encroached onto the pitch and were led away by Hammers defender James Collins.
Moments later, Chris Wood put Burnley 2-0 up, and the match was interrupted for a second time when another pitch invader grabbed a corner flag and attempted to plant it in the centre of the pitch.
Meanwhile, home fans gathered below the directors’ box chanting ‘sack the board’ and ‘you destroyed our club’. Joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan are understood to have left their seats for their own safety.
Police had to be positioned along the touchline and specifically around the West Ham bench, where more disturbances appeared to take place.
The Hammers then conceded a third following a mistake from Hart, who was then approached by more angry supporters in a third pitch invasion.
In the aftermath of the match, West Ham pledged to launch an investigation into the events that took place and promised to take “decisive” action.
A statement from the club said: “West Ham United have immediately launched a full and thorough investigation into the incidents which marred the second half of today’s match and are committed to taking decisive and appropriate action.
“An emergency meeting has been called with all London Stadium stakeholders. There will be no further comment at this time.”
An FA spokesperson said: “The FA strongly condemns the crowd disturbances seen today at West Ham United versus Burnley and will be seeking observations from West Ham as well as awaiting the match referee’s report.”
The Premier League will seek assurances from West Ham that measures will be taken to ensure there will not be a repeat of Saturday’s events at the London Stadium.
“It is essential that everybody who plays or attends a Premier League football match can do so safely,” a statement from the Premier League said.
“There is no place at any level of the game for what happened at the London Stadium today.
“While the official investigation of the incidents will be carried out by the Football Association, we will be asking our own questions of West Ham United about what happened this afternoon, especially to ensure similar events never reoccur.
“We would like to commend referee Lee Mason and his team of officials for their actions which, combined with the cooperation of players and coaching staff from both clubs, enabled the match to be completed.”
West Ham manager David Moyes called on the club’s fans to get behind the team.
“We want the supporters behind us, but you can’t cross the line and come onto the pitch,” Moyes told Sky Sports.
“I don’t think I’ve been at football games in my time where I’ve seen that. All I’ll say to all of them is that we need them. We’re fighting for points. We’re all in it.
“The players know we did well today for long periods. We didn’t do so well for a couple of minutes in the second half. We needed the supporters with us in a different way.
“All I ask for is that everybody sticks together and we try to get ourselves enough points to make sure we’re a Premier League team (next season).”
(c) Sky News 2018: Mark Noble clashes with West Ham fan as home protests interrupt Burnley match
