Pablo Fornals’ injury-time goal sealed a 1-0 win for David Moyes’ side, who will play Fiorentina in the final at the Eden Arena in Prague on June 7.
But following the full-time whistle, West Ham’s players immediately rushed over to the dugout where AZ’s supporters had begun attacking rival fans sat in the hospitality section.
Many sat in that section were either friends or family of the West Ham players and several members of Moyes’ squad and coaching staff, including captain Declan Rice and sporting director Mark Noble, attempted to force the AZ supporters back.
Stewards managed to control the situation, however, balaclava-clad AZ fans went on to attack West Ham supports in the away end of the stadium.
Former West Ham midfielder Joe Cole, who was working pitchside for BT Sport, said: ‘It’s absurd. Ridiculous grown men, AZ Alkmaar fans attacking the fans where families were sitting, our friends and colleagues. The players tried to break it up.
‘You have to look at UEFA and AZ Alkmaar with things like that. Turning up with balaclavas throwing punches, it’s just ridiculous. The players are rightfully concerned, families, friends, kids over there. Ridiculous in the modern game, pathetic.
‘People talk about hooliganism in England. We don’y see things like that, we haven’t for a long time. We get a reputation for it. It’s other clubs in Europe, it’s pathetic.
‘We have friends sitting there. In the modern game, with the cameras in these places, find out who these people are and ban them for life. We were talking about bringing our kids to the final now you second guess when you see things like that.’
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole, who was also working as a pundit for the game, added: ‘There was no need for it. West Ham came, did their job, didn’t disrespect them. When a goal like that goes in you’re elated, happy, you can’t suppress feelings.
‘Your family is over there with the fans. You have to understand that. What is that about? It’s the same men that were outside the player’s hotels, setting off fireworks. What are they doing? Chill out.’
West Ham boss Moyes said: ‘We need to wait for the dust to settle.
‘The biggest problem was the area players have friends and families in.
‘The players were angry they couldn’t see if they were okay. We need to wait and ask the officials what happened.’
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