13 arrested and injured police offers taken to hospital after West Ham brawl

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that four officers were injured, with two requiring hospital treatment, following crowd trouble which occurred at London Stadium during West Ham's Europa Conference League meeting with Anderlecht.

West Ham sealed qualification to the knockout stages of the competition with a comfortable 2-1 win over the Belgian outfit courtesy of first-half goals from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen, but the victory was marred by unsavoury scenes towards the end of the match.

Riot police were forced to intervene after sections of the home crowd were targeted with numerous objects, including seats and flares, which were thrown from the away end.

UEFA are expected to launch a formal investigation into the disorder, which also saw a fan apprehended after running onto the pitch during the match.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "Four officers were injured, two requiring hospital treatment, after disorder at the London Stadium during the match between West Ham and Anderlecht.

"One of the officers has a suspected broken wrist and the second received stitches for a head injury. The two other officers were struck on the head during the disorder.

"Chairs and flares were thrown from within the away section and officers had to intervene in protective equipment to restore calm. One man was arrested for the assault on the officer who suffered a suspected broken wrist. 12 people were arrested for other offences unrelated to the assaults on officers."

The disorder tarnished another fine European night for the Hammers, who enjoyed a fairytale run to the Europa League semi-finals last term.

And it also came on a night where Bowen equalled the club's all-time European goalscoring record after netting his sixth goal to take him level with club greats Johnny Byrne and David Cross.

Hammers boss David Moyes was reluctant to speak about the incidents off the pitch after the match. He said: "I saw some movement but I didn't have any interest in it to be honest. Why would we want to draw attention to it? The players' job was to get on with it and I thought they did. It's not what any clubs want connected to them and I certainly don't want it at West Ham."

Although Anderlecht boss Felice Mazzu claimed he did not see flares, the Belgian outfit condemned the scenes after the match and apologised to West Ham.

In a statement released shortly after the match, an Anderlecht spokesperson said: "We do not tolerate that behaviour in our stadium or away and we will take it up with the fans and UEFA. We apologise to West Ham."

Read more

Mirror Football's top stories

Lineker reveals he shunned Putin at draw

West Ham brawl sees 13 arrested

Joao Felix desperate for January move

Salah passes Suarez and Torres landmark