Video of West Ham United players attempting to reach their families after AZ fans stormed their section emerges

Footage of West Ham United players attempting to reach their families after AZ Alkmaar fans stormed their section has emerged online.

The Hammers reached their first major European final since 1976 after they beat AZ in their Europa Conference League semi-final.

Pablo Fornals scored the only goal of the game on Thursday as David Moyes' side will face Fiorentina, who beat Basel in the other semi-final.

The night, however, was marred by ugly scenes as AZ ultras stormed the area where West Ham players' friends and families were seated at the AFAS Stadion.

New footage now appears to show Lucas Paqueta and Said Benrahma attempting to reach their families amid AZ fans attacking loved ones.

West Ham players fighting with the AZ Alkmaar fans who are trying to attack their family and friends.

Surely AZ will be facing serious sanctions after this… 😨pic.twitter.com/OUNaJ9cveQ

— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) May 18, 2023

The Brazilian midfielder can be seen hurdling stewards to get to the AZ fans. It also shows Benrahma and Aaron Cresswell getting involved too.

Speaking to BT Sport, former West Ham man Joe Cole said: "It's absurd. Ridiculous grown men, AZ Alkmaar fans attacking the fans where families were sitting, our friends and colleagues. The players tried to break it up.

"You have to look at UEFA and AZ Alkmaar with things like that. Turning up with balaclavas throwing punches, it's just ridiculous. The players are rightfully concerned, families, friends, kids over there. Ridiculous in the modern game, pathetic."

He added: "People talk about hooliganism in England. We don't' see things like that, we haven't for a long time. We get a reputation for it. It's other clubs in Europe, it's pathetic.

"We have friends sitting there. In the modern game, with the cameras in these places, find out who these people are and ban them for life. We were talking about bringing our kids to the final now you second guess when you see things like that."