UEFA Charge both West Ham and Fiorentina for Conference League final melee

European football’s ruling body, UEFA, charged both finalists, West Ham and Fiorentina, for the on-pitch madness that greeted the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday. 

West Ham came away 2-1 winners after Jarrod Bowen scored a late winner to win them their first-ever European crown, but the game was marred by an ugly incident in which spectators threw objects onto the pitch. 

With the game poised at a draw, the game had to be stopped as fans hurled projectiles at the players, and Fiorentina captain Christian Biraghi had to be treated after getting hit by a vape pen that was thrown at him by West Ham fans. 

The game was allowed to continue, but the damage was already done, with Fiorentina’s owner branding the sad scenes on the pitch a disgrace and blaming that for the Italian side’s eventual loss. 

UEFA have swung into action following the incident and have now charged both Fiorentina and West Ham with failing to control their spectators. 

Despite the one-sided nature of the injuries in the projectile-throwing incident, UEFA believe both sides are responsible for losing control of the final and have charged them accordingly. 

Both sides could face fines if found guilty of the charges brought against them, with the English side expected to bear the brunt. 

In addition to charges for the projectiles thrown, West Ham will also be charged for their fans’ pitch invasion, while Fiorentina will face punishment for their fans' lighting of flares in the stands.