According to Dutch media, 26 men who were involved in trying to attack the family and friends of West Ham United players in the Netherlands have reported to the police. Seven of them have been detained, but the police are still searching for 10 more.
The Dutch police used a TV program to ask for help in identifying the hooligans by showing images of the suspects who were involved in the attack after the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg between AZ Alkmaar and West Ham United.
The police in the Netherlands have identified 24 individuals who are believed to be responsible for a planned attack at the AZ Stadium in Alkmaar after the home team’s loss.
More individuals than previously thought have come forward to the police, but 10 of the original 24 suspects are still being sought. The police have given these individuals until Tuesday to turn themselves in, or their images will be broadcasted on a national television program called “Opsporing verzocht,” which appeals to the public to help identify criminals caught on camera, suspects, missing persons, or unidentified bodies.
“There were people who we were not initially looking for, but who were afraid that they were in one of the photos,” a police spokesman told the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper. “It is therefore not the case that they are automatically all suspected of open violence.”
On Tuesday, TV and the program’s website displayed photos captured by security cameras of 10 men who were involved in the attacks. The incident occurred at the AZ Stadium when home supporters broke through a fence and attacked the West Ham contingent seated in a reserved section behind their own team’s dugout.
A brawl ensued, and West Ham players, including captain Declan Rice, attempted to intervene and protect their relatives and friends. The TV program also showed an underage boy kicking a West Ham player, but his face was obscured.
AZ Alkmaar condemned the actions of their supporters, and the municipality in Nijmegen has banned AZ supporters from attending Sunday’s Dutch league game against home side NEC to prevent potential stadium violence.
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