With the final of the Europa Conference League underway, precisely to kickoff at 8pm Wednesday night, June 8, unpleasant stories had earlier emanated from the city of Prague (the Capital of Czech Republic), being the city (venue) of the final between English Premier League, EPL, side, West Ham and Italian top-flight team, Fiorentina.
According to BBC football, the Czech Republic Police has already arrested and detained about 16 persons for allegedly fermenting trouble against the West Ham fans ahead of the final. Already, it has been confirmed that three unnamed persons have sustained different degrees of injuries as a result of the fracas that took place in a bar in the street of Rytirka, were some West Fans were chilling ahead of the game.
It was equally reported that a Czech Police officer was among those attacked during the incident by the troublemakers.
Information coming out of the city indicates that an unnamed West Ham fan revealed that his friend sustained a serious injury during the attack, including a massive cut on his head.
Going further, the West Ham added, “About eight Italians walked past, swinging bands and chains. Five minutes later, there was a big group that come down the road and attacked us.”
Preliminary investigation reveals that the West Ham fans involved in the fracas had done nothing bad prior to the ugly incident, that it was the Fiorentina fans who first started throwing flares and firecrackers at the West Ham fans.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the City of Prague had deployed its emergency service to the scene, and that few persons who sustained injuries have been treated at the scene, while those with severe cases have been moved to the hospital for proper medical attention.
Escalation…
Also, the issue continued into the pitch, when West Ham fans threw objects into the pitch, targeted against Fiorentina players. Unfortunately, the objects injured Fiorentina captain, Biraghi who came to take a corner kick around 32 minutes into the first half, his head was bleeding.
He was taken out and treated, returning into the pitch with a headband.
(Photo credit: BBC football/Twitter)
