Clashes opposed the Netherlands, supporters of AZ Alkmaar and West Ham after the semi-final of the Europa League Conference.
Clashes broke out on Thursday night in the Netherlands after AZ Alkmaar lost 0-1 at home; 2-1 in the first leg to English side West Ham in the semi-finals of Europa League Conference, media reported.
Several players from both teams were drawn into the fan brawl, including West Ham captain Declan Rice.
On Thursday, AZ fans stormed the main stand at the AFAS stadium in Alkmaar, in the north-west of the Netherlands, shortly after the final whistle, before battling West Ham supporters who were celebrating their victory, reported the Dutch news agency ANP.
“Supporters sat behind the AZ goal and ped through a gate into the main stand, after which they swarmed West Ham supporters“said the ANP. “From there fists flew“, added the agency.
Images posted on Twitter show a group of supporters, presumably from AZ, breaking through a barrier before seeking confrontation with fans of the English club.
Other footage shows West Ham players jumping over the boards to intervene in the fight while waving frantically.
In another sequence, several police officers in riot gear repel AZ supporters before restoring order in the stadium.
West Ham United manager David Moyes said after the game that his players got involved because they wanted to protect their friends and family.
“My parents and my friends were also in the stands. I only saw later what happenedMr. Moyes told ANP.
Football-related incidents are increasingly violent in the Netherlands, which worries the authorities and sports officials in the country.
A referee interrupted a Premier League match between FC Groningen and Ajax Amsterdam on Sunday after a Groningen fan rushed onto the pitch with a banner and smoke bombs were thrown onto the pitch .
Last month, Ajax midfielder Davy Klaen was injured in the head by a lighter thrown by a Feyenoord Rotterdam fan from the stands.