We were attacked relatively early on after Eintracht Frankfurt were 1-0 up, with West Ham fans punching us in the neck and in the back of the head and back. The trigger was that we simply did our job. We commented emotionally on the game and Eintracht’s goal, but the West Ham fans sitting right behind us didn’t like that. The logistical problem was: we were sitting in the back row of the press box, with the West Ham Annex directly behind us.
After a few discussions things settled down. However, when West Ham’s equalizer fell in the 21st minute, heavy blows resumed. Especially Tim got it. He lost his headset and microphone. After these two incidents, our technician tried to alert the security personnel around us. But they were more passive. Afterwards we simply called for help, we needed someone to protect us.
Hectically implemented at half-time
The colleagues from Eintracht Frankfurt, who help us with such trips, then informed the press colleagues from West Ham. Then we were finally helped and protected until halftime. During the break, however, there were again verbal attacks. In a very hectic action, however, we were then transferred to the main press gallery by two very helpful West Ham employees so that we could safely finish our comments.
After the game, the club’s security staff ushered us out of the stadium and into a kind of lounge. We were advised not to leave the stadium promptly for our safety. West Ham’s press officer came to us, apologized and assured us that the incident is being followed up and there may be legal ramifications.
This game was stolen from us
What we really liked was that our fellow English reporters came to us after the game and apologized, even if it wasn’t their fault, of course. But what is of course now lagging behind is the emotional damage. We were really looking forward to the game. That was a highlight, you don’t experience a semi-final like this every day. It feels like these so-called fans stole this game from us.
We had to comment on the first half with the constant fear that someone would jump in our back and maybe not just attack with their fists. In the second half, of course, we didn’t just shake out of our clothes, even though we were sitting somewhere else. We got this highlight, this victory of unityemotionally stolen.
Source: HR