West Ham United: Police Make Seven Arrests After More Crowd Trouble

Police and stewards try to separate West Ham United and Chelsea supporters.
Police and stewards try to separate supporters of both sides as they confront each other during the EFL Cup fourth round match between West Ham United and Chelsea at the London Stadium, east London, October... Ian Kington/AFP/Getty

London Metropolitan police made seven arrests on Wednesday night as crowd violence erupted between West Ham United and Chelsea supporters at the London Stadium.

The BBC reported that plastic seats, bottles and coins were thrown in the latest scenes of trouble since West Ham's move to the former Olympic Stadium.

West Ham won the game 2-1 to move into the EFL Cup quarter-finals, but that significant victory was marred by what its manager Slaven Bilic called "unacceptable" behavior.

In a statement, West Ham said it "unreservedly condemned" the scenes, vowing to ban the supporters responsible for life. The club issued a similar missive in the wake of crowd disturbances during the English Premier League game against Watford on September 10. The situation is complicated by the fact that the club is a tenant in the stadium, with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) looking after the stadium running costs and E20 Stadium LLP, a joint venture between the LLDC and the local council, Newham Borough Council, running security and stewarding operations.

West Ham has issued 23 banning orders so far this season. Its investigation into the Chelsea game will also encompass song sheets passed out around the ground before the game, apparently advocating homophobic chanting toward Chelsea players including former West Ham youth player John Terry.

Just to be clear to people this isn't banter, it's homophobic. Disgraceful from West Ham... pic.twitter.com/vG57WfAxp2

— Andie Worrall #21 (@Sister_Of_Fu) October 27, 2016

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