West Ham vs Chelsea: 'Robust policing plan' introduced in attempt to avoid fan trouble at EFL Cup match
Chelsea supporters face 'enhanced body searches' upon arrival at the EFL Cup fourth round match at the London Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea fans going to Wednesday’s EFL Cup match at West Ham will face a “robust policing plan” in an effort to try and avoid any fan clashes before, during and after the fourth round tie.
Metropolitan Police officers will be present inside the London Stadium for the first time since West Ham relocated to Stratford during the summer, despite previously stating that complications regarding the ground’s emergency service radio system – which will not be in place until 2017 – meant they cannot work inside the stadium.
That issue has now been resolved, but with the fierce rivalry between West Ham and Chelsea fans a cause of concern for the East London club and previous trouble already experienced at the London Stadium this season, extra measures are being taken to try and keep supporters separated.
With over 5,000 Chelsea fans attending the match on Wednesday night, extra security will be in place inside the stadium along with a visible police presence, and there will not be any alcohol available outside the stadium from mobile vendors before the match.
Bars inside the stadium will be open as normal, with drinks served in plastic cups, but will be closed before the full-time whistle.
Chelsea have also warned fans to arrive early for the match and to expect “enhanced body searches” upon arrival at the turnstiles .
West Ham have already issued 23 banning orders to fans for offences ranging from drinking in view of the pitch to breaking the line of segregation, while there were incidents recorded in the first month of the stadium hosting Premier League fixtures where home fans clashed with each other in violent exchanges.
Chelsea fans leaving the stadium after the match will have to exit through turnstile D via the south steps, but do have the option of travelling from either Pudding Mill Lane Docklands Light Railway Station or Stratford International and Underground station, after Metropolitan Police and Transport for London confirmed away supporters will be able to use both stations. It is a shorter walk to Pudding Mill Lane DLR station, taking around 11 minutes from the stadium, whereas Stratford is closer to a 20 minute journey by foot.
Away fans are sometimes held in the stadium in order to allow the larger number of home supporters to disperse, which could leave fans facing late journeys home. The match will not finish any earlier than 21:30, and should the tie got to extra-time and penalties, it could go on for an additional 45 minutes.
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