Freiburg supporters unfurled a banner about West Ham fans before the European clash in a clear message to UEFA.
West Ham have been in Europa League action away at Freiburg on Thursday evening.
The last time West Ham were in Germany the team and fans received extremely hostile treatment.
The Hammers played Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-finals of the same competition two seasons ago.
A feisty second leg in Germany saw Frankfurt’s fans parade a giant banner mocking West Ham using the club’s infamous ICF calling card.
David Moyes and Aaron Cresswell were sent off. The Frankfurt fans then invaded the pitch and taunted West Ham’s players and supporters. And to round things off Declan Rice received a two-game ban for confronting the referee in the tunnel after the defeat.
But back in the Europa League and back in Germany, West Ham have received a very different welcome.
The Hammers faithful were banned from attending the game by UEFA after a small number of them caused disruption during the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
And Freiburg supporters unfurled a banner about West Ham fans before the European clash in a clear message to UEFA.
The hosts showed solidarity with West Ham as they displayed a huge banner the width of one of the stands behind the goal.
It read: “Football without fans is nothing! Abolish collective stadium bans!”
There were also other banners saying “Abolish collective punishments.”
Bayern Munich also mentioned West Ham by name when they sent a similar message to UEFA in a recent Champions League game.
I think one thing we can collectively say to the Freiburg fans is FAIR PLAY.
It’s lovely to see in a modern game where football rivalries are so intense.
You can see the banner in the pictures above and in the post below.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
