West Ham could be issued a heavy fine, but is unlikely to be required to close its ground.GETTY IMAGES
Premier League side West Ham is reportedly "likely to avoid being forced to play Premier League fixtures behind closed doors at the London Stadium," according to Mark Ogden of ESPN.com. The FA is "investigating the events of the weekend, which saw West Ham captain Mark Noble confront one pitch invader before wrestling him to the ground." West Ham co-Owners David Gold and David Sullivan "were subjected to derogatory chants by supporters close to the directors' box before being led away by security." Although West Ham "could face a heavy fine for Saturday's events, sources said that ground closure or points deductions are unlikely." Both sanctions are available to an FA Commission "should it be decided that the incident was worthy of such a penalty." But sources insisted that "both are at the extreme end of the scale, with no recent precedent of either punishment being applied" (ESPN.com, 3/12). SPORT WITNESS reported West Ham’s stadium and fan issues over the weekend "were not only unfortunate because of their existence but because of the timing." Fans "also protested to differing degrees" at Ligue 1 side Lille, Greek Superleague side PAOK and Bundesliga side Hamburg over the weekend and it is "all being presented as a shameful episode for football." That means the FA is "being pressured into acting tough with West Ham," and Spanish newspaper As reported if it does not, "then FIFA will move directly" (SPORT WITNESS, 3/13).
'OUR OBLIGATION': The BBC's Simon Stone reported a "leading West Ham supporters' group will vote this month on whether to reinstate plans for a protest march against the club's owners." The cancellation of a march on Saturday "was claimed as one of the triggers for crowd trouble against Burnley." The West Ham United Independent Supporters Association will ballot members on March 31. WHUISA Chair Mark Walker said, "If the majority of members want a march, it is our obligation to do that" (BBC, 3/12).
STICKING AROUND: In London, Adam Crafton reported London Stadium 185, the security agency that oversaw the "shambolic scenes," will stay in charge of the London Stadium. But LS185’s stewards "will almost certainly be supported by police inside the stadium" for the next home game against Southampton on March 31. West Ham wants to take security measures "out of the hands of LS185." The agency began a 30-year agreement with the London Legacy Development Corp. in Feb. '15, "meaning it is highly unlikely the security agency will relinquish control" (DAILY MAIL, 3/13).
