The family and friends of the West Ham United players were saved from being seriously hurt by rioting AZ Alkmaar ultras thanks to the brave actions of a handful of the club’s fans, according to eyewitnesses.
The brawl broke out at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, on Thursday night after West Ham’s 1-0 victory in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final, which secured a 3-1 aggregate win. A group of about 50 ultras tore down a barrier and charged towards the complimentary seats, where around 200 West Ham supporters, including the players’ and coaching staff’s family and friends, were sitting behind the away dugout.
Footage on social media showed Chris “Knollsy” Knoll, a 58-year-old electrician from west London, repelling scores
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-west-ham-fan-held-off-50-az-alkmaar-ultras-tb8rknpv7
