West Ham players jump into stands to defend families after massive brawl erupts at Europa Conference semifinal

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West Ham United players had little time to celebrate their Europa Conference League semifinal victory over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night after several of them jumped in the stands to defend their friends and family following a massive brawl that broke out when a group of Dutch supporters stormed the area designated for the visiting team. 

A violent scene unfolded at the AZ stadium in Alkmaar, Netherlands, when a group of Dutch fans broke through a fence and attacked West Ham supporters following the team’s 3-1 victory, multiple outlets reported. 

Supporters attack relatives of West Ham United players during the Conference League match between AZ Alkmaar v West Ham United at the AFAS Stadium on May 18, 2023, in Alkmaar Netherlands  (Angelo Blankespoor/Soccrates/Getty Images)

According to the Associated Press, players including Michail Antonio, Said Benrahma, Aaron Cresswell, and Flynn Downes all climbed into the stands in an attempt to stop the melee. 

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"I can’t explain what happened and why it happened," West Ham manager David Moyes, whose 87-year-old father was at the match, said. "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."

AZ released a stern statement condemning the incident, which the club called a "pitch black evening."

Riots in the stands after the UEFA Conference League semi-final match between AZ Alkmaar and West Ham United FC at the AFAS stadium on May 18, 2023, in Alkmaar, Netherlands.