A minority of West Ham, fans besmirched the final game at Upton Park last night by smashing up the Manchester United team bus with glass bottles as it wound its way to the soon-to-be-defunct ground, contributing nothing but alternative takes on the West Ham anthem - forever throwing bottles - and an admittedly decent gag about United now needing two new coaches.
To further exacerbate the whole issue, West Ham co-owner David Sullivan appeared on Sky to diffuse the situation with all the diplomacy you would expect of a man who became rich making porn. Sullivan evidently hoped that this was a problem that could be solved by steadfastly ignoring it, complaining that United should have arrived earlier, and claimed that the coach would show no sign of damage:
I'm gravely disappointed, more for our supporters. What people forget is they've got trains and buses to get home and we've got a wonderful, wonderful show after the game for them. many just can't stay anymore.
Man United should have got here at 4pm. They know it's our last game. They had the same problem at Tottenham a few weeks ago. I think the police and officials have been kind. I'd make them kick-off at 7.45pm if I was in charge.
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan: "If you check the coach there won't be any damage to it." May need to revisit that one David.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) May 10, 2016
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan: "If you check the coach there won't be any damage to it." May need to revisit that one David.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) May 10, 2016
Sullivan has today used the club's official website to offer an apology, claiming that he was misinformed:
Sadly, the actions of very small minority of people outside the ground prior to kick-off risks overshadowing those celebrations. I want to be clear – their behaviour was completely unacceptable and does not represent our club or our values.
When I was asked about the incident prior to yesterday’s game, I was unaware of the damage that had occurred to the Manchester United team bus. I want to apologise to Manchester United for that damage and assure them that we will be doing all we can to track down those responsible and ban them for life.
This morning I have already tasked my senior team to work with the police to identify them as their behaviour belongs in the past and not in a future that promises so much for our great club.
I truly hope that in due course we will look back on what happened in the stadium rather than what happened outside and remember our farewell to the Boleyn for all the right reasons.
The farewell to Upton Park was given a suitably frenzied game, although the post-game pageantry underwhelmed spectaularly.
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