Author: Amrit Santlani
UEFA Europa Conference League winners West Ham and runners-up Fiorentina have been charged by UEFA for the violent incidents that took place during Wednesday’s final in Prague.
Both finalists were punished by the governing body with charges such as “throwing objects”, while UECL champions West Ham were also barred for “trespassing on the field of play”.
Earlier in the day, Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was hit on the head by an object thrown from the Hammers’ side during the first half of the summit clash. Biraghi was seen covered in blood and needed treatment on the cut suffered in the attack by the London Stadium crowd.
David Moyes’ side managed to beat the Serie A club 2-1
and won their first major trophy since 1980 and their first European title since 1965.
Said Benrahma scored the first goal just after the hour mark, from the penalty spot, and Giacomo Bonaventura responded with a quick equalizer five minutes later. The match looked destined for extra time, but Jarrod Bowen scored a dramatic late goal to secure the title.
The Viola have also been accused by UEFA of “setting off fireworks”, and the European body is due to rule on the matter in due course.
According to the Czech police, 23 fans were arrested in Prague after the final, one of whom was a West Ham supporter, while the others supported Fiorentina.
Fans of the Italian club are said to have attacked supporters of the English club in a bar in the Czech capital, and around 17 fans were arrested out of the 22 initially arrested for hooliganism.
Earlier in the day, there were riots between Hammers fans and their UECL semi-final opponents, AZ Alkmaar, and families of West Ham players were also attacked
. The Londoners finished 14th in the league, narrowly surviving relegation, but ended their campaign with their first major title in a long time.