WEST Ham won an exciting Carling Cup game against Millwall on Tuesday night, but football was the big loser, as this most bitter of rivalries erupted in chaos.
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola said: “I have played for years and I have never seen anything like this.
It is not good for football. I have been here seven years as a player for Chelsea and 11 months as West Ham manager, and I have never seen anything like this.
“It has shocked me.”
Zola rued how the performance of his players had been totally overshadowed by the actions of fans, the 3-1 extra-time victory over the Lions paling into insignificance.
He said: “It is a shame that the violence has overshadowed the display by my youngsters. The players will certainly remember this week and become better.
I am sure they will become better. It was not easy for the players."
This has been the darkest of weeks for West Ham.
One player, Calum Davenport, lies in hospital with multiple stab wounds.
Another, Jack Collison lost his father in a motorbike crash.
Zola said his players had shown character.
“Collison was unbelievable,” he said after the youngster took to the field against Millwall, despite the death of his father.
“He showed character."
The manager added: “It's not good. It has been a tough week.
“What can I say? I am a sportsman. I love the game. I want to make it as exciting for the supporters and entertaining for them.
“I want to see a better week. I just want to talk about football.”
Unfortunately, for Zola, the authorities will want to talk about so much else.
The FA issued a statement in the aftermath of the clash.
It wants fans involved in the trouble banned from football.
“We expect all culprits to be banned from football for life. They have no place in our game," the FA said.
“We absolutely condemn all of the disorder that has occurred at Upton Park, both inside and outside the ground.
“We will be working with all parties, including the police and clubs, to establish the facts surrounding the events."
West Ham have also vowed to do just that.
A statement read: “The club will not tolerate the unacceptable behaviour witnessed inside the Boleyn Ground and will take the strongest possible action, including life bans."
The West Ham youngsters came back in the dying moments of the game, after Millwall had taken a first-half lead.
Junior Stanislas levelled with three minutes of normal time, then edged the hosts ahead from the penalty spot on 97 minutes.
Then Zavon Hines scored goal number three to seal victory, though it proved to be a hollow one.
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