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Dutch police used a television program on
Tuesday to appeal for help to try and identify hooligans,
showing images of suspects involved in the attack at the
conclusion of Thursday’s Europa Conference League semi-final
second leg between AZ Alkmaar and the London club.
Dutch police had identified 24 supporters as suspects in the
apparently premeditated attack at the AZ Stadium in Alkmaar
after the home club lost. More people than had been thought
involved have reported to police, although 10 from that initial
list of 24 are still being sought.
Police had given those involved a deadline on Tuesday to report
otherwise have their images shown on a national television
programme called "Opsporing verzocht" (investigation requested),
which broadcasts appeals to 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."
Photos taken by security cameras of 10 men involved in the
attacks were shown on TV on Tuesday. They have also been posted
on the programme’s website (opsporingverzocht.avrotros.nl).
Home supporters broke through a fence and attacked the West Ham
contingent seated in a reserved section behind their own team's
dugout at the AZ Stadium at the final whistle.
A brawl ensued in which West Ham players, including captain
Declan Rice, attempted to intervene, with several running to the
aid of relatives and friends who were under threat.
An underage boy kicked a West Ham player, the TV programme
showed while obscuring his face.
The attack was condemned by AZ Alkmaar, who called the actions
of their supporters "shameful".
In the meantime, the municipality in Nijmegen has banned AZ
supporters from attending Sunday's Dutch league game against
home side NEC.
Bans on traveling support in the Netherlands are common to
prevent potential stadium violence.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Conor
Humphries)
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