West Ham to explain unrest to FA

Mauricio Pellegrino replaced Claude Puel as manager last summer

West Ham United have been given until the end of this week to respond to the FA with their observations on the unrest that marred Saturday's 3-0 home defeat to Burnley.

Four separate pitch invasions interrupted the game at the London Stadium, and co-owner David Sullivan was hit by a coin and forced to leave the directors' box, as hundreds of supporters congregated below in protest at the club's board.

The FA expects this to be a lengthy disciplinary process.

 

It could still be a fortnight before any charge is forthcoming, and even longer before the FA announce any sanctions, once an independent commission has heard the case.

West Ham will not be able to side-step any punishment by suggesting they do not organise the stewarding at London Stadium.

 

Even though LS185 is a separate company, which handle stewarding inside the ground, the FA sees West Ham as responsible for the effectiveness of that stewarding.

The FA can only take retrospective, punitive action against a club once an incident has happened.

It is for the London Stadium's Safety Advisory Group to look to future games, and decide what changes are necessary to ensure safety.

West Ham fans could get their club relegated if the "aggressive" climate continues, ex-Hammers forward Sir Trevor Brooking said.