West Ham fans clash with cops in riot gear and set off flare as celebrations get out of control after team’s Europa win
WEST Ham fans have clashed with riot cops and set off a flare as celebrations over their side’s Europa win got out of hand.
There were jubilant scenes inside the ground as the East London side lifted their first European trophy in 58 years with a 2-1 win over Fiorentina.
As the celebrations spilled out onto the Prague streets though Hammers fans lined up against police dressed in riot gear.
A flare was let off in the crowd with one eye-witness saying “all hell broke loose”.
Jurre Uijtendaal, 22, told The Sun: “Someone let a flare off – we were singing and it all got a bit too much for the police.
“They decided to let off a strike to cool it down. They tried to take down the guy with the flare.
“All hell broke loose and the police noticed they were outnumbered so they formed a circle.”
The Prague cops resorted to using pepper spray after they moved in to cart off the lad with the flare.
Jake Masterton, 23, from Kent, said: “There was a lad holding a flare – nothing more. Nobody kicking off or anything.
“Police just stormed through and grabbed him and wheeled him off. He was a young guy too.
“Then they just formed a little unit in the middle and all the fans started fighting back – then the pepper spray came out.
“It’s a shambolic showing from the police. We’re all just enjoying this win. We can light off a flare of two if we want.”