Will there be fan trouble?
Chelsea are set to be allocated 5,200 tickets for their away EFL Cup fixture at West Ham, providing the Hammers’ security their biggest test yet since moving to the Olympic Stadium.
The transition from Upton Park to the new ground has not been a pleasant one for West Ham fans, with in-ground fighting, attacks after games and poor results making up a miserable start to the season.
And now they are facing their first ‘grudge’ match at the London Stadium, having been drawn against Chelsea in the fourth round of the EFL Cup a week on Wednesday.
Under EFL competition rules, away teams can claim up to 10 per cent of the stadium’s capacity to sell to their own supporters. Chelsea requested their full allocation — 5,700 tickets of the 57,000-capacity modern stadium — but West Ham are restricted to hosting 5,200 opposition fans because of stadium infrastructure issues.
It promises to be a nervous evening for all those involved at the ground, but after the recent trouble, especially the ones on duty controlling the fans, who have not had an easy ride since the season started in August.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
