Violence flares in Prague as partying West Ham fans are attacked by a gang of hoodie-wearing ‘Fiorentina ultras’ ahead of Europa Conference League final
- Hammers fans were set upon by the ‘Ultras’ at around 3pm in Prague today
- Video showed black-clad Italian fans descending on a cafe, before Czech riot police moved in to detain a number of the Fiorentina Ultras
A group of partying West Ham fans were violently set upon by Fiorentina ultras this afternoon ahead the Europa Conference League final.
The celebratory mood soured in central Prague soon after 3pm when Hammers fans drinking in a bar were attacked by a group of Italians clad in black clothing and masks, resulting in at least three injuries, police said.
As word went round the wider area that their fellow fans were being assaulted, Hammers fans moved towards the bar – and a group of riot police moved in to prevent the two groups clashing further.
It was unclear if anyone was injured in the disorder ahead of the Premier League Club’s biggest European match in nearly half a century.
One West Ham fan who witnessed the scenes said: ‘They targeted a group and attacked them quite violently then ran off before anyone could react. It was completely unprovoked. They were all ultras dressed in black. It was pretty grim.’
A group of partying West Ham fans were violently set upon by Fiorentina ultras this afternoon. Pictured: A video shows black-clad Italian football fans in Prague today
Pictured: Debris is seen across the floor where Fiorentina ultras attacked a group of West Ham fans in Prague today. Smoke is seen billowing from flares on the ground
Pictured: A photograph released by Prague police shows a number of Fiorentina Ultras detained and lying prone on a shop floor in the Czech capital
Around 100 West Ham fans attempted to run towards the bar where their fellow fans were said to have been attacked but were kept at bay by around 50 police officers, some armed with automatic rifles and batons.
The ultras attempted to escape the police and ran through a busy paved shopping area. Some ran through the outside tables of a café where many people were dining, causing crockery, glasses and bottles to smash as tables were overturned.
Despite their efforts, they were rounded up and hemmed in outside a massage parlour. Women working within were seen peering through windows and taking pictures with their phones of the thugs.
MailOnline witnessed a group of suspected thugs being handcuffed and arrested before being led off through the crowds.
Police using tannoys, speaking in Italian, warned the remaining Florentina fans and ultras who were gathering to leave the area immediately.
In a statement on Twitter, along with a photograph of a number of Italian fans in handcuffs on the floor of a shoeshop, Prague’s police forces confirmed that West Ham fans were attacked where in a bar by Fiorentina’s fans.
‘Italy fans attacked West Ham fans in a bar in Rytířská Street, injuring three. One policeman was also attacked,’ the statement said.
‘We have restricted the personal freedom of 16 people and we are currently investigating the whole incident. #policiepha’.
Pictured: The Ultras can be seen descending on the cafe where West Ham fans were in a video filmed from across the street
Pictured: Fiorentina ‘Ultras’ are led away by riot police in Prague today
Pictured: Riot police are seen in central Prague today ahead of the Europa Conference League final, surrounding a group of Fiorentina Ultras
Pictured: Fans of West Ham United gather to cheer for their team at Prague’s Old Town Square ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League
It comes after similarly-cald hooligan supporters of AZ Alkmaar tried to get at West Ham players’ families in chaotic scenes at the end of the semi-final in Holland.
Riot police have been on standby in the hours ahead of tonight’s kick-off.
Earlier, one fan was detained by police for letting off an orange flair in the square, but later released after a ticking-off.
More than 10,000 West Ham fans were gathering in the fan zone to watch the match on a giant screen.
Supporters of their Italian rival without tickets were led to a separate fan zone.
After days of rain, the sun came out and lifted the spirits of the thousands of fans in Prague’s Old Town Square as of pints were downed and bars were packed to the hilt.
Sam Nicola, 32, a London black cab driver who was wearing a claret and blue curly wig, said: ‘I woke up this morning and my whole body went into this state of anxiety.
‘I couldn’t talk and I keep thinking about what might happen. It is far worse than normal butterflies, believe me.
‘We just have to win, and I promised all my mates that I will wear this wig in my cab for a week if we do.’
Czech authorities have ramped up security ahead of the Europa Conference League final
West Ham fan Sam Nicola (left) was among those soaking up the pre-match atmosphere
Fans have taken over Old Town Square with Czech authorities keeping a watchful eye
His brother Jay, 35, who also wore a similar wig and drives a black cab, added: ‘ we have waited so long for this. But there was a lot of nerves.
‘But I believe we can do it. We will bring that trophy home. We will win 2-1.’
London dentist Aditi Tanna, 28, who wore a West Ham hat and shirt said: ‘It is so amazing being here with all these great West Ham fans. We have made many new friends.
‘My boyfriend Ajay and I came into Prague on a train from Vienna this morning and for four more Euros we were put into first class and given a class of Prosecco so that was a great way to start the day.
‘I feel it is getting better and better all the way to winning the cup tonight.
‘We don’t have tickets, but it is much more fun being here than watching it on TV from the sofa. ‘
Keilan Schemeri, 31, from Gibraltar whose father Joe is from London and a Hammer’s fan said: ‘It will be 3-1 to West Ham. We are going all the way.’
Former West Ham striker, Tony Cottee join supporters in the old town Square as a sign his name.
Actor and comedian James Corden, a lifelong West Ham fan, also flew into the Czech Republic and posed happily with supporters for photographs.
Folk hero Knollsy, who was dubbed the ‘Angel of Alkmaar’ after fighting off thugs out to attack West Ham fans last month, was mobbed by well-wishers as he walked through the square wearing a black West Ham shirt.
The final is West Ham’s first in Europe since 1976, and they are bidding to win their first trophy since the FA Cup 43 years ago.
Greg Robson, 59, from Manor Park, east London, told the PA news agency he has been a season ticket holder for 43 years.
West Ham fans cheer for their team at the Old Town Square ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League 2022/23 final match between ACF Fiorentina and West Ham United FC in Prague, Czech Republic on June 7
Pictured: A West Ham fan waves an English flag in Prague’s Old Town Square today
‘First game was 1969, with my dad, sadly no longer with us,’ he said. ‘And I’ve had a season ticket since the age of 16. This is about my 43rd year now going home and away, following them abroad. I just love West Ham United.’
He said it felt ‘unbelievable’ to be in a European final.
‘I was just one when we first won it, 11 in ’76,’ he said. ‘So really, for me, this is the first time to actually go to one.’ He said he booked his flight to Prague before West Ham had even made the knockout stages.
‘We actually booked the flights when we were in the group stages,’ he said. ‘So it’s a gamble that paid off.’ He added that he will ‘party all night’ if the Hammers win.
‘Just party, party all night,’ he said. ‘I’ve got an early flight in the morning, but I might be missing that.’
Andrew Hall, 54, from Surrey, said: ‘If we’re celebrating I could be here for another week.’ He added that he had spent ‘probably £1,000’ on his trip to Prague, adding: ‘But it’s worth every penny.’
Steve Wick, 60, from Hertfordshire, said he had travelled for hours to make it to the Czech capital. ‘We drove 13 hours,’ he said. ‘We got the shuttle over from Folkestone and then drove through. So 13 hours door to door.’
He said it had been ‘years and years’ since the team had had any major success.
‘If we win this tonight it will be mega for the fans,’ he added. ‘It has been years and years since we’ve had any glory. And I think this is going to be it.’
Dan Lee from Romford said he had spent more than £1,000 on his trip to the final.
‘All in, over £1,000, but it’s what you do for West Ham,’ he said.
He added that being in a European final meant ‘everything’ to him.
‘Never did you think that little old West Ham would get this far,’ he said.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…
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