Journalist makes major UEFA claim that will delight West Ham after new ban fears

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Journalist makes major UEFA claim that will delight West Ham after new Europa League ban fears were circulating following a twist to the situation.

Those new fears were that UEFA could move West Ham’s fan ban to the Europa League knockout stages after lockdown was announced over in Austria starting on Monday – three days before the Hammers face Rapid Wien.

West Ham supporters were raging after UEFA announced the ban following disturbances in previous games, including ticketless Hammers fans forcing entry to the away game at Genk.

West Ham this week reluctantly accepted the UEFA ban.

The Hammers were mindful of the very real risk that should they lose an appeal against the punishment, the ban could carry over to the club’s next Europa League away game – likely denying supporters the chance to cheer the team on in the away leg of a crucial last 16 tie in March.

There were fears that could be the case anyway after Austria was plunged into a full national lockdown.

The game will be played behind closed doors. That eliminates any potential advantage for Rapid Wien. And some felt UEFA may shift the ban to the next available away game that Hammers fans could actually physically attend – likely to be a last 16 tie.

But Daily Mail journalist Kieran Gill, who has been following West Ham in Europe this season, has issued an update on the situation that will delight Hammers fans.

“Rapid Vienna v West Ham next week to be played behind closed doors,” Gill confirmed.

Journalist makes major UEFA claim that will delight West Ham after new ban fears

“Good news is the ban on away supporters won’t be transferred to the knockout stages.

“This game will still count as West Ham serving their suspension.”

That is fantastic news for West Ham fans, the majority of whom follow their team over land and sea impeccably.

UEFA’s punishment was ridiculously harsh given the governing body’s lack of appropriate action on other issues in the game.

It really felt like they were trying to make an example of little old West Ham.

But sense seems to have prevailed here given West Ham have no control over the lockdown situation.

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