West Ham news LIVE: Reaction after Fiorentina final as fans clash with riot police
Danny Dyer and James Corden are among the celebrity fans celebrating after the Hammers claimed Europa Conference League glory in Prague
West Ham United players and staff will be recovering from the joy of winning their first major trophy for 43 years after beating Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in what proved to be a dramatic night on and off the pitch in Prague.
Jarrod Bowen’s 89th-minute goal gave the Hammers the most memorable of 2-1 wins, with celebrity supporters such as James Corden and Danny Dyer – whose daughter Dani is Bowen’s partner – celebrating the triumph. However, the match had earlier been marred when West Ham fans pelted Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi with objects as he went to take a corner in the first half and left him bleeding from a gash in the back of his head.
Hammers supporters then later clashed with riot police in Prague after setting off flares in celebration of victory, as a scuffle broke out after police officers tried to confiscate a lit flare in the Old Town area of the city. Riot police stormed a group after they lit a second flare, with fans responding by pelting the officers with bottles and missiles.
Earlier in the day, Czech police said they had detained at least 16 Fiorentina fans after they attacked West Ham supporters outside a bar, with videos shared on social media showing chairs and fireworks being thrown.
Follow all the latest news and reaction from West Ham’s European adventure below:
David Moyes filmed dancing in the changing room after Europa Conference League win
West Ham manager David Moyes has a reputation for being reserved but the Scot was letting loose after victory last night.
Moyes was filmed dancing away, beer in hand, in the changing room. Dad dancing? Sure. But you can’t begrudge Moyesy loving life
Declan Rice addresses transfer rumours after historic Europa Conference League win
West Ham skipper Declan Rice has addressed transfer rumours after his club’s historic Europa Conference League victory over Fiorentina.
The England midfielder does not know if he has played his last game for the club after being linked with a move away from the Hammers this summer.
It comes after Rice became only the club’s third captain, after Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to lift a trophy in their 128-year history after the 2-1 victory in Prague.
“There is interest from other clubs, that’s out there, but ultimately I’ve still got two years left at West Ham,” Rice said. “Let’s wait and see.”
West Ham boss David Moyes hands winner’s medal to his father
David Moyes handed his Europa Conference League winners’ medal to his father after ending West Ham’s 43-year wait for a trophy.
Jarrod Bowen’s dramatic last-minute goal sank Fiorentina 2-1 as the Hammers secured a first piece of silverware since 1980’s FA Cup, and a first European trophy since 1965, on a historic and emotional night in Prague.
Moyes’ dad, 87-year-old David Snr, has been on every step of West Ham’s European tour and joined his son on the pitch after the final whistle.
“He was the first one, I thought I should get it round his neck,” said the jubilant West Ham boss. “He’s watched a lot over the years and I hope he enjoyed it.”
West Ham promise to take action against fans who threw objects onto Prague pitch
West Ham have condemned the behaviour of a section of their support after Fiorentina defender Cristiano Biraghi was left bleeding by an object thrown from the crowd during their Europa Conference League final victory.
The game was goalless in the 35th minute when Biraghi went over to take a corner from in front of the end of the Eden Arena where West Ham supporters were sitting, with the player struck by what appeared to be a vape pen as cups and other objects rained down on him. He required a head strapping in order to continue, after referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande had briefly called a halt to the game and a stadium announcement had issued a warning for fans to stop throwing things and respect the players and officials before the match could continue.
West Ham issued a statement promising to take action against anyone found to have committed an offence and ban them from attending matches at the London Stadium.
“West Ham United unreservedly condemn the behaviour of a small number of individuals who threw objects onto the pitch during tonight’s UEFA Europa Conference League final,” said the statement.
“These actions have no place in football, and do not in any way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout our last two seasons in European competition.
“We will work with the police and other stakeholders to review the incidents and act against anyone found guilty of an offence.
“In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police and will be given an indefinite ban and therefore be unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the club. There is no place for this kind of behaviour at West Ham United.”
Reporting by PA
Violent clashes between West Ham and Fiorentina fans lead to arrests ahead of European final
Not only was there trouble after the game in Prague last night but also violence ahead of the fixture.
Czech police detained 16 people after violent clashes between West Ham and Fiorentina fans marred the build-up to the final.
A group of black-clad Fiorentina fans attacked Hammers supporters in a bar in central Prague on Wednesday afternoon, injuring three patrons, authorities said
Videos on social media showed fans setting off flares and throwing tables at the bar located just off Prague’s Old Town Square. A police officer was also attacked.
“Italy fans attacked West Ham fans in a bar on Rytirska street, injuring three,” Czech police said on Twitter. “A police officer was also attacked. We have restricted the personal liberty of 16 people.”
Witnesses claimed the Italians were armed with “chains and belt buckles” and fans of the Italian side are said to have thrown flares and firecrackers as they approached the West Ham supporters.
A thousand matches later and David Moyes finally has his crowning glory
There were two men running free in the Fiorentina half, writes Richard Jolly. First Jarrod Bowen, en route to winning West Ham United their first trophy in 43 years.
And then David Moyes, sprinting on to the Prague pitch in celebration, arms stretched out wide. It was a run that was 25 years in the making, a journey that took him from the Auto Windscreens Shield to the Europa Conference League.
Few clubs have waited longer for the emotional release of securing silverware. Few managers, either. It began in a derided knockout competition for Moyes, the Auto Windscreens where Preston North End, newly under a 34-year-old centre-back, faced Macclesfield in January 1998.
A quarter of a century later and, in game No.1,097 of a marathon managerial career, Moyes had a major honour he could call his own. He had said he credited Sir Alex Ferguson with the Community Shield his Manchester United claimed, perhaps thinking there would be further glory for him at Old Trafford.
There wasn’t. But if Moyes has long been destined to be remembered as the man miscast as Ferguson’s successor, he has other places in footballing history. The best Everton manager since Howard Kendall is in select company. Like Ron Greenwood, like John Lyall but like no one else, Moyes has won something with, and for, West Ham.
Read the full article on Moyes completing his managerial journey:
A thousand matches later and David Moyes finally has his crowning glory
The West Ham boss landed the Europa Conference League title, his first trophy in a mammoth career of coaching
‘More titles than Spurs’: Young fan in tears as West Ham secure Europa Conference League win
West Ham’s win caused plenty of emotion for their fans and one young supporter was left in tears by their victory.
He was still able to take a dig at the Hammers’ big rivals Tottenham though.
“I just can’t believe West Ham have won something, we’ve won more titles than Spurs,” he said.
His reaction won the praise of Twitter users, with one commenting: “What an amazing memory for him to have. Bless him.”
Danny Dyer celebrates West Ham win
West Ham have plenty of celebrity fans, with James Corden out in Prague to watch the victory, while Danny Dyer was similarly delighted.
The ‘hardman’ actor had more reason than most to celebrate as not only is he a huge Hammers fan but his daughter, Dani Dyer, is the partner of winning goalscorer Jarrod Bowen. The couple recently gave birth to twins.
‘Best feeling I’ve ever had’: Jarrod Bowen reacts to West Ham’s ‘surreal’ win against Fiorentina
Jarrod Bowen has described West Ham winning the Europa Conference League as the “best moment of [his] career.”
The 26-year-old scored the goal which secured the club’s first piece of silverware since the 1980 FA Cup and their first European trophy since 1965.
Bowen slotted past Pietro Terracciano to earn the Hammers a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in Prague. “I can’t sum up... it’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my career,” Bowen told a post-match press conference.
West Ham to stage victory parade after Europa Conference League win
A victory parade is planned for Thursday evening after West Ham fans and players celebrated into the early hours following the club’s Europa Conference League win.
The playing squad and coaching staff will parade the club’s first major trophy since 1980 on an open-top bus through the streets of east London.
The parade will leave the Hammers’ old home at Upton Park at 7pm and travel to a reception at Stratford Town Hall at about 8pm.
It will start at the junction of Green Street and Barking Road, adjacent to the Boleyn Pub and The Champions Statue, before proceeding west along Barking Road, turn right on to Greengate Street, and continue along the A112 past Plaistow Park, Plaistow Station and Stratford Park, before ending its journey on West Ham Lane, outside the Old Town Hall in Stratford.
Reporting by PA
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