Several West Ham United supporters were left without seats to sit in during their side’s first Premier League game at the London Stadium.
Images taken during Sunday’s narrow 1-0 victory over ten-man Bournemouth show a group of fans watching the game while perched on concrete slabs.
One Twitter user, @PreMatchMeal, sent an image of the supporters to club officials Karren Brady and David Gold, with the message: “Block 214 row 73 no seats! Not happy!”
The same user later sent another tweet, directed solely to Brady, reading: “Where's my 'kin seat??”
Brady responded on Monday with an apology. "I can only apologise LS185 [London Stadium 185, the stadium operator] say admin error," she wrote, "...we will make sure it is rectified LS185 will be compensating 56 supporters affected."
West Ham were forced to reduce the stadium’s 60,000 capacity to 57,000 for their fixture as too many home fans had stood during a Europa League qualifier against NK Domzale.
The London Stadium Safety Advisory Group (LSSAG) and Newham Council recommended a reduction after LSSAG identified supporters standing to be “dangerous and contrary to ground regulations”.
Supporters were repeatedly reminded by the stadium’s Tannoy system that persistent standing would result in ejection, yet a handful were left with no choice.
The club are carrying out an investigation into the incident and the stadium operators, London Stadium 185, are expected to make a statement on Monday.
The majority of West Ham’s support left the London Stadium happy after Michail Antonio’s late header gave Slaven Bilic’s side their first league win of the season.
The Hammers capitalised on Harry Arter’s sending-off fifteen minutes from time to snatch three points from a largely uninspiring affair.
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