Former West Ham star Joe Cole has slammed AZ Alkmaar supporters for attacking the Hammers' supporters after the Eredevisie side were dumped out of the Europa Conference League. David Moyes' side have reached their first European final since 1976 after winning 3-1 on aggregate.
Pablo Fornals' late strike sealed the Hammers' spot in the final, a week on from their first-leg 2-1 victory at the London Stadium. West Ham will face Fiorentina in Prague after progressing through their semi-final tie.
Following the full-time whistle in the Netherlands, there were shocking scenes as AZ Alkmaar fans appeared to have approached travelling members of the West Ham entourage in the family and friends area. Former West Ham stars Joe Cole and Carlton Cole heavily criticised the home fans for their actions with the away supporters put at risk after seeing their team make history.
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Speaking after the game, Joe Cole told BT Sport: "It's absurd. Ridiculous. Grown men. AZ Alkmaar fans attacking the West Ham fans where the families were sitting and our friends and colleagues were sitting.
"The players know they're there, the players were getting involved trying to break it up. You've got to have a look at UEFA and things like that, and AZ Alkmaar to a certain degree because we had the same incidents in Frankfurt last year: it gets a slap on the wrist.
"You get AZ Alkmaar fans turning up with balaclavas throwing punches and throwing hands. Football is a family and it should be inclusive for everybody, it was just ridiculous.
"The players, rightfully so, concerned: families over there, their friends, maybe kids over there. Absolutely ridiculous in the modern game, and the men that turn up and do it: completely and utterly pathetic."
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