We had a Q&A with Andy Sheldon ahead of tomorrow’s match. Andy is the Metropolitan Police's dedicated football officer for West Ham.

1. Is the match going to be 'dry', i.e. no alcohol?
The stadium will be able to serve alcohol following a change to UEFA rules.

2. Do Europa League matches have a categorisation and what is the categorisation for Rapid Vienna?
Categorisations for any fixture whether domestic or international are determined on the basis of intelligence and this fixture has been categorised as medium risk.

3. European fans like to do a big walk to the stadium - what plans are in place?
The police believe that Rapid Vienna fans may take part in a mass walk to the stadium but they will be dissuaded from doing so close to the ground. They are still in discussion with fan groups.

4. Will Austrian police be there? Has Andy liaised with Viennese police authorities?
Plainclothes Austrian police will be at the stadium but may be wearing tabards (a light blue bib) for identification purposes. When British police attend European matches, they are also in plainclothes and wear a bib for ID purposes. Intelligence is shared between the two forces by way of the NFIP (National Football Information Point).

5. Will there be any road closures?
No more road closures than there would be on a normal match day.

6. WIll any areas be 'away fans only'?
No.

7. Are there going to be more pyrotechnic checks?
This is a stadium responsibility but at the moment there is no need for a higher level of vigilance on the basis of intelligence.

Edit. 19th October 2021

Following the disturbances at this match, principally the throwing of objects, West Ham have been fined €30,000 and Rapid Wien fined €30,000 and to ban SK Rapid Wien from selling tickets to its away supporters for the next one UEFA competition match.

The decision of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body as sent to each club are as follows:

A Q&A with Met Police for Rapid Wien match