West Ham will erect a barrier to protect owners David Sullivan and David Gold for the visit of Southampton on Saturday, according to The Times.
The newspaper report that the Hammers are taking this drastic action are fan trouble erupted at the end of their last match, a 3-0 home loss to Burnley, with Sullivan said to have been hit by a coin.
The Times claim that one fan has complained that the special barrier will mean he is moved from his normal seat in the disabled section,
During the closing moments of West Ham’s defeat to Burnley, hundreds of fans gathered below the directors’ box and hurled abuse at the two owners, and the duo’s safety will profit from the move.
Other fans invaded the pitch during the match and around 20 supporters have been given lifetime bans for their actions.
OPINION
It is no surprise to see West Ham taking special measures to protect Gold and Sullivan. The crowd trouble during the Burnley clash was hard to see, and brought the club’s fanbase under serious scrutiny after Sullivan was hit by a coin. That is quite frankly unacceptable. Both owners are getting on, and abuse like that unfortunately crossed a line. The duo may not be favoured among supporters, and in many ways that is for good reason, but it is clear they care about the club and are doing their best to make things right.