West Ham have been warned about the Fiorentina ultras in a ridiculous article ahead of the Europa Conference League final.
After a long wait the day has finally arrived as West Ham face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Prague.
So much is at stake and history is begging to be made for this group of Hammers stars.
The last – and only – time West Ham tasted European glory was in 1965, 58 years ago.
West Ham have proved they really are massive everywhere they go ahead of the big game.
Over 25,000 West Ham fans have made the trip to Prague despite less than 6k having tickets to the game at the 20k capacity Eden Arena.
West Ham are massive in Prague
Such is the huge West Ham presence in Prague, UEFA and Czech authorities have set up a special giant fan zone for supporters to watch the game and enjoy the occasion.
Despite having been attacked and ambushed on several European away days and understandably defending themselves, West Ham fans always seem to be painted in a certain way by some media outlets.
Whether it is the club’s fearsome hooligan past or simply not being one of the so-called “Big Six” media darlings, who can say.
Brave Hammers supporters were universally praised for defending the loved ones of their players who were under attack by AZ Alkmaar hooligans during the semi-final.
West Ham warned about Fiorentina ultras in ridiculous article ahead of Europa Conference League final
Yet West Ham fans have been painted as potential aggressors in an piece from The Telegraph ahead of the huge clash with La Viola.
West Ham are warned about Fiorentina ultras in a ridiculous article ahead of Europa Conference League final.
The article by Corriere Della Sera’s Roberto De Ponti warns West Ham fans that Fiorentina’s ultras ‘will not back down if provoked’.
The author paints West Ham as potentially violent aggressors only to admit he ‘does not know whether West Ham’s ultras are violent or peaceful’.
It is a potentially incendiary article from a media outlet which should know better.
‘I do not know how the West Ham ultras are cateogorised’ – perhaps don’t talk about it then?
“The risk of violence exists, although it is likely that both sets of fans in Prague will be kept under control,” the article states.
“The Fiorentina ultras are not known to be the ones who ‘light the spark’ but – according to ultras law – they do not back down if provoked.
“This year in the Conference League we have seen violence in the Netherlands and Portugal, but when Florence was ‘invaded’ by the peaceful fans of Hearts and the (somewhat less) peaceful fans of Lech Poznan and Basel, the matches passed without incident.
“I do not know how the West Ham ultras are ‘categorised’ – whether they are particularly violent or peaceful – but the Fiorentina fans are more focused on a historic final for the club (who won their only European trophy in 1961) and on a choreography in the corners that will be as spectacular as that seen at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for the Coppa Italia final…
“In reality, Fiorentina’s ultras are known more for their imagination than for their nastiness, and in Italy they are recognised for being warm but ultimately fair fans. In the league this year, the fans in the more expensive stands have been the most problematic, with isolated insults to opposing coaches and, unfortunately, a few racist phrases.”
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