Inside AZ Ultras agency & their bloody historical past of stabbings & pipe bombs
THE AZ Alkmaar “Ben Facet” Ultras have a violent historical past of stabbings and pipe bombs, gaining a horrifying fame over time.
It comes after thugs tried to power their manner into West Ham’s hospitality space following the facet’s Europa Convention League semi-final conflict within the Dutch metropolis.
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Two Hammers followers stood their floor because the yobs, wearing all black, tried to power their manner past the stairwells main as much as the stands.
Happily, the West Ham followers have been in a position to deter the mob from having access to the place family members of the East London facet’s gamers have been gathered.
It’s not the primary time hooligans, supposedly supporters of the crew, have brawled with opposition followers – tainting the picture of the membership.
Whereas the vast majority of Alkmaar’s followers are peaceable a bunch of vocal ultras has created main issues.
PRE-ARRANGED SHOWDOWN
In 2017, teams of AZ and Feyenoord hooligans clashed in a pre-arranged showdown.
Round 20 followers from either side met up on a distant wasteland for a scrap as they threw punches at each other.
The placement was on the outskirts of Alkmaar, some 50 miles from Feyenoord’s floor.
The opposing followers lined as much as face each other, with one facet in white and the opposite in black.
They then charged at one another earlier than the brawling began.
It was reportedly dubbed a “20-20” scrap with either side agreeing on the foundations beforehand.
Each side agreed on no weapons and anybody who had fallen on the bottom wasn’t allowed to be hit.
Dutch police launched an investigation, saying they’d not tolerate preventing between hooligans.
In one other incident tainting AZ’s picture, followers pressured their manner right into a closed-off stadium.
The sport between AZ and NEC Nijmegen in November 2021 was meant to be held behind closed doorways as a result of danger of spreading Covid-19 within the nation.
Nonetheless, after simply quarter-hour AZ followers broke into the stadium and let off fireworks within the floor, bringing the sport to a halt.
Fireworks and flairs had been let off by followers outdoors the stadium earlier than the group entered the AFAS Stadion.
Thug wearing black and with masks and hoods overlaying their faces, have been seen leaping over the hoarding with some even in a position to get onto the pitch.
Others ignited flairs within the far nook of the bottom, with pink smoke lighting up the stand.
Referee Jeroen Manschot was pressured to cease the sport however play was resumed as soon as safety had eliminated the thugs.
CLASH WITH DUNDEE FANS
A conflict additionally broke out with Dundee followers and police earlier this season forward of the European Convention League qualifier in August.
Followers reportedly threw glass bottles at one another as cops have been referred to as to revive order.
Some followers took shelter in close by pubs as glassware rained down on them and the violence escalated.
Cops used batons to strike followers in an try and disburse them and power them away from the pub doorways.
AZ followers are additionally mentioned to have attacked a bunch of Scottish followers as they made their technique to the Alkmaar stadium.
Footage seems to point out Alkmaar yobs ambush the Dundee followers as they carried orange flags and banners across the Dutch metropolis.
The violent group, as soon as once more carrying black and with their faces lined, have been seen charging on the Scots earlier than preventing broke out on the road.
ORIGINS OF ‘BEN SIDE’ SUPPORTERS
AZ’s hooliganism is claimed to stem from the membership’s early days with a bunch often called the “Ben Side” supporters.
The identify refers to the place the group sits within the Jan van der Ben stand, which was named after a predecessor membership’s chairman.
The group claims they “made their mark for the first time” throughout an away match at Feyenoord in 1977, in response to an AZ supporter web site.
There they clashed with opposition followers, throwing beer bottles and cans at gamers.
In one other infamous assembly, the group clashed with Haarlem in June 1977.
Riots ensued over the sport, with many supporters brining knives, and cops later made a number of arrests.
TEENAGER STABBED
A 16-year-old was stabbed and round 28 individuals arrested throughout a very horrific altercation in March 1986 between AZ and PSV followers.
{The teenager}, a PSV fan who was not recognized, was rushed to hospital.
On the similar sport, confrontations between supporters additionally noticed a home-made pipe bomb lobbed into the PSV stand, though fortunately nobody was injured, The New York Occasions reported.
The “Ben Side” group has continued to point out its assist on-line lately.
Its members seem wearing black, elevating flairs, letting off fireworks and inflicting havoc at each house and away video games.
The group although claims it’s only enthusiastic about “improving the atmosphere in the stadium”.
Dutch police say they’re persevering with to analyse the footage from yesterday’s assault.
The power mentioned: “Together with AZ, the municipality of Alkmaar and the public prosecution service we will evaluate last night’s incidents, which we regret having happened. This kind of behaviour has no place in football.”
UEFA can be anticipated to hold out its personal probe into occasions.
Dutch police mentioned they’d made no arrests however added they have been attempting to determine violent followers from footage.
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