Carabao Cup - supporter guidance for Spurs match

Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup Quarter Final against Spurs has all the hallmarks of a classic tie, under the lights. But these are complicated times. We are living with a reinvigorated COVID virus thanks to the Omicron variant and have recently moved to the restrictions under the Government’s Plan B. This has implications for match goers. Add to that 6,000 West Ham fans and a lively rivalry between the two sets of fans, and we thought it was worth speaking with those in charge of making sure Wednesday night goes smoothly to work through some of our questions and concerns.

On 17th December, West Ham United Supporters’ Trust Board members met with the Metropolitan Police representatives for both clubs, reps from West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur Football Clubs and reps from Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust to discuss plans for the game. Here’s some important information ahead of the match.

COVID CHECKS

First and foremost, we must stress that it is now compulsory to show proof of either double vaccination OR a negative lateral flow test in order to gain entry to the stadium. The move to Plan B means any supporter unable to show either their vaccination status or confirmation of a negative test when asked to do so will be turned away from the ground. Please take it upon yourself to have either ready, or proof of a valid medical exemption if applicable. THFC is extremely clear as to what constitutes proof, so please check the list on their web story here. It’s worth noting that the cards given out at vaccination centres are no longer accepted. All ticket purchasers will also have been asked to complete a West Ham United medical declaration form on behalf of themselves and others that they booked tickets for. Please make sure this is completed in good time ahead of the match.

There will be increased spot checks and clubs are now required to refuse entrance to any fan unable to show their status. This is not a THFC decision or choice. It is now a legal requirement, so please work with the stewards to make the best of a difficult situation. The stewards checking the away fans Covid status will all be West Ham stewards backed up by a member of Spurs stewarding response team.

Please note you are also required by law to wear a face covering when indoors and in crowded, enclosed areas within the stadium unless you have a recognised exemption according to Government guidelines. You may remove your face covering in order to eat and drink. It is also strongly advised that supporters wear a face covering when seated in the stadium bowl.

West Ham United will be bringing a team of 15 stewards to the game, who will be on hand to answer any queries from visiting fans regarding COVID checks.

After the Covid checks, security will be through airport-style walk through magnetic arches, which should hopefully speed up the process. There will still be manual checks on bags.

TRANSPORT AND ROAD CLOSURES

At the time of writing, we have been informed that there is a normal service planned on all rail and underground lines on Wednesday evening with no planned closures or service reductions. However, fans are strongly urged to check routes before leaving for the match and to be wary of last-minute service cancellations should COVID cases result in a shortage of drivers and other key staff.

Supporters are also reminded that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is served by several stations, and to check alternative routes leaving should there be issues with their arrival route.

Park Lane will be closed to traffic from 16:45 on Wednesday afternoon and the High Road will be closed to traffic from 17:45. The CPZ will be in place.

POLICING AND STEWARDING

This has been classified as a High-Risk match. Consequently, there will be an increased steward presence inside the stadium. There will also be a police presence inside the stadium to handle any flashpoints. The Met will be utilising horses and dogs on the stadium footprint. Police will also be issuing dispersal notices outside the ground, if necessary.

THFC response team supervisors will be wearing body cameras to protect both the stewarding staff and supporters inside the stadium. More information on how that footage will be stored and used can be found here.

There are no specific plans to escort West Ham United fans to the stadium, but the police will react to the circumstances on the evening. It may be necessary to hold away fans on Bromley Road before moving round en masse along Worcester Avenue. THFC stewards and Met police will provide as much information on the ground as is possible to supporters unsure of the best way to reach their entrance.

West Ham United has an allocation of 6,000 tickets for this match: 10% of stadium capacity. Away fans will be located in blocks 113 to 118 and blocks 419 to 424. A five-seat segregation line will be in place on the North side of the away allocation, which will be manned by double the number of stewards initially with the option to include police, if necessary.

Stewards will also be present behind the glass walkway in Blocks 116-118 in the NE corner, to separate the band of home Premium fans from the away support below.

Alcohol will be served, as usual throughout the stadium, prior to the match and will continue to be served up until the stadium closes at 11pm, providing there are no incidents of anti-social behaviour.

TICKETING

It would be foolish to think that some of our fans won’t appear in home areas on Wednesday night, given the proximity of the two fan bases and the magnitude of the match. We are assured that THFC safety briefings will stress the need to refuse access to home areas to any fan visibly wearing West Ham colours and also to remove away fans drawing attention to themselves in home areas throughout the match. This will be cascaded down through the steward’s briefings to ensure front line staff are fully aware of process and procedure.

PUBS 

All local pubs welcome Home fans only, and all will be operating usual licensing hours on Wednesday.

That’s the main thrust of the briefing. We hope Wednesday night is a Christmas cracker for us and that the match goes off without incident off the pitch, and plenty on it!

If you do experience any difficulties at the game, please speak with your closest steward initially or text their Reporting Line on 07537 404821 with details of the behaviour and location. Full details on the line can be found here.

COYI

WHUST Board
Tuesday 21 December 2021