West Ham tighten security ahead of Spurs derby

 

West Ham have banned half-and-half scarves ahead of Saturday’s London derby with Tottenham at London Stadium, in a move that underlines how volatile this fixture has become over the years.

The decision is part of enhanced security measures with officials determined to keep away fans from infiltrating home areas of the ground. Extra turnstile checks and stricter entry protocols are being enforced, with stewards instructed to clamp down on any items bearing the crests of both clubs.

It is the new signing, Mohammed Kudus, who has lit the fuse. The Ghanaian forward, sold to Spurs for £54.5 million in the summer, is the first player to move directly between the clubs since 2011. His admission on Tottenham’s official channels that “I only wanted Spurs”, has gone down like a lead balloon among West Ham’s more vocal support. Protests against David Sullivan and the club’s ownership are also expected, adding further fuel to what promises to be a combustible evening.

Clashes between rival fans have been a recurring theme since the 1970s, with the move away from Upton Park to the London Stadium doing little to ease tensions. Only last season, extra police were drafted in after scuffles broke out on Stratford High Street in the build-up to the same fixture.

Sky’s cameras will capture the action for those sitting in the comfort of their homes or the local pub, but for those inside the ground, the club has urged patience. “Enhanced security measures will be in place,” read a statement from West Ham. “We ask all supporters for patience, especially in the 45 minutes ahead of kick-off.”