Moyes says he feared for family's safety after AZ fans attack West Ham supporters

Supporters of AZ Alkmaar clashed with riot police and West Ham United fans following their 1-0 defeat that late saw the Dutch club eliminated from the Europa Conference League semi-final.

Pablo Fornals’ injury-time winner prompted a gang of black-shirted, hooded AZ ultras to attempt to storm into the area reserved for friends and family behind the dugout.

The incident is the latest in a series of escalating incidents of football violence in the Netherlands, which has worried both sports officials and politicians alike.

AZ fans stormed the main stand at the AFAS stadium in the northwest Dutch city shortly after the final whistle, before brawling with West Ham supporters celebrating the win, the ANP national news agency said.

"The fans sat behind the AZ goal and broke through a gate to the main stand, after which they stormed celebrating West Ham fans," the ANP said.

"From there, fists were flying," it added.

Several players from both teams were also pulled into the fracas including West Ham captain Declan Rice, midfielder Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio.

West Ham manager David Moyes, who’s 87-year-old father David Snr was at the match, said: “I can’t explain what happened and why it happened.

“I can only say the players were involved because it was the family section and most of their family and friends were in there. That was probably the reason for the reaction.

“Was I worried? Yeah, my family were there and I had friends in that section. You’re hoping they would try and get themselves away from it.

“I didn’t recognise it because I’d gone onto the pitch. Security wanted to take me inside, but I had to make sure my players weren’t involved.

“What we don’t want to do is in any way blight the night because it certainly