French fans allegedly ‘goaded’ Spurs supporters with a West Ham United flag ahead of ugly scenes during their Champions League clash.
West Ham’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur were in action against Marseille in Europe’s top competition last night.
Just last season Spurs playing Marseille would have been a Europa Conference League fixture.
But it is West Ham in that competition this term instead.
Nevertheless there were a few West Ham links to the clash between Spurs and l’OM at Tottenham Hotspur’s magnificent ground last night.
Former West Ham star Dimitri Payet was back in London to renew rivalries with Tottenham, who he faced several times during his mesmeric 18 months with the Hammers.
Some West Ham fans watched on with interest to see whether Payet would feature against Tottenham.
Against Spurs, though, Payet – as he has been for most of the new season – was left on the bench as a Richarlison double against 10-men Marseille got Antonio Conte’s side off to a winning start.
French fans allegedly ‘goaded’ Spurs supporters with West Ham flag ahead of ugly scenes during Champions League clash
There was no West Ham link on the pitch then but it seems there was some Hammers influence on the terraces.
Because the French fans allegedly ‘goaded’ Spurs supporters with a West Ham flag ahead of ugly scenes during the Champions League clash.
West Ham and Tottenham supporters took to social media pointing out the fact a flag bearing the Hammers crest – as well as Palestinian flags – were being held aloft as Marseille fans goaded the home crowd before trouble broke out.
There were clashes inside and outside the ground involving the Marseille fans and stewards and police.
Marseille fans clearly knew what they were doing in their efforts to wind up Tottenham supporters.
But as many football fans who regularly watch French football or Marseille will know, though, the sight of a West Ham flag is nothing unusual.
Several large flags with the West Ham crossed Hammers are regularly spotted at Marseille games.
There was heavy Arsenal influence in the Marseille side too with on loan Gunner Nuno Tavares and their former midfielder Matteo Guendouzi playing for the Ligue 1 outfit.
It was Tottenham who had the last laugh, though, securing a 2-0 win and they will travel to Marseille for the reverse fixture in November.
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