West Ham fans invade pitch as David Gold and David Sullivan are told to leave London Stadium for their safety
Hammers' skipper Mark Noble tried to placate angry fans on the field as Burnley pile on the agony for desperate home side
Hammers' skipper Mark Noble tried to placate angry fans on the field as Burnley pile on the agony for desperate home side
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WEST HAM fans invaded the pitch as tensions boiled over in truly astonishing and shameful scenes at the London Stadium.
Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold were both told to leave the directors' box for their own safety as tempers continued to flare in the Hammers' 3-0 home defeat to Burnley.
By the end of the game only club legend Trevor Brooking was still in the directors' box as fans vented their feelings about how the East London outfit is run.
Referee Lee Mason even consulted Hammers boss David Moyes and Burnley manager Sean Dyche over abandoning the game as the away team allowed kids in their dugout to escape the fighting.
Initially, a mini-pitch invasion followed Ashley Barnes' 67th minute opening goal.
West Ham skipper Mark Noble let rip at one pitch invader as the situation turned ugly.
This is what this fan thinks of the West Ham board
The moment the pitch was cleared the visitors scored again, with Chris Wood prodding home from close range three minutes later.
Irate supporters continued to aim their venom at the Hammers' board.
Soon after Wood had put Burnley 2-0 ahead a fan ran onto the brandishing a corner flag as things threatened to get out of control.
A dreadful mistake by recalled keeper Joe Hart then allowed Wood to add to the Hammers' woes.
Cries of 'Sack the Board' continued to ring out as David Moyes and his West Ham players tried to focus amid all the chaos.
One of the pitch invaders was punched by some of his fellow supporters as he made his way back through the crowd.
The Hammers released a statement saying they would investigate the incidents before calling an emergency meeting of shareholders.
A West Ham statement said: “West Ham United have immediately launched a full and thorough investigation into the incidents which marred the second half of today's match and are committed to taking decisive and appropriate action.
“An emergency meeting has been called with all London Stadium stakeholders. There will be no further comment at this time.”
Hammers' fans turn away from the pitch and concentrate on the directors' box amid chaotic scenes at the London Stadium
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Burnley striker Wood said: "It was a tough situation - I can sympathise with how the fans feel, they are passionate supporters and it is tough for them at the moment but they need to stick with their players.
"You don't want that happening on the pitch at all - it creates problems and safety issues.
"I didn't feel under threat - they were just voicing their frustration."
The result left West Ham in 16th place on 30 points... just three clear of the drop zone.
Following the violence, the London Stadium also released a statement.
It said: "Following the incidents which took place during West Ham United’s home fixture against Burnley on Saturday 10 May, London Stadium, in conjunction with all stakeholders, will conduct an urgent, thorough and extensive investigation.
"The Stadium planned and implemented a robust and extensive security plan in line with the recommendation of the met police, and in line with requirements of the licensing authority."