West Ham fans in Athens are keen for what will be a fantastic away trip after being prohibited from attending their first match on the road at SC Freiburg in September.
The Hammers received a £50,000 fine and a European ban due to the behaviour of a minority of supporters during May's UEFA Europa Conference League Final.
This means the Olympiacos v West Ham fixture is the first chance for Irons supporters to see their team on the continent since May's memorable victory over Fiorentina in Prague.
How many West Ham fans in Athens?
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West Ham fans in Athens have sold out their 1,600 away allocation at the Greek Super League side. Due to the distance of destination and potential for trouble in the Greek capital, it's unlikely many Hammers will be travelling without tickets, as is often the case for these European fixtures.
Danger for trouble at Olympiacos v West Ham
There has been signficiant consternation about the possibility of trouble in this fixture.
At an earlier UEFA Europa League fixture between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb, clashes between supporters left one fan dead.
Further trouble in Athens occurred at the derby between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. The game was abandoned when a firework hit a player.
David Moyes asks for good behaviour from West Ham fans in Athens
West Ham manager David Moyes wants “passion” from his team's supporters, but “also good behaviour.”
“They’ve got great support here, fantastic enthusiasm, and it’s great to come to a football city where football really matters. That’s what you want. You want the passion and the atmosphere, but you also want good behaviour from our supporters and Olympiacos supporters.
“It’s a game and we know it’s really passionate but it’s it important every works well together and we end up having a good night. All we want is a good football game.
“It’s great that we have passionate supporters, but to be a passionate supporter you also have to be a good supporter as well, and that includes our supporters as well. You’re not helping your club, so you have to be passionate and enthusiastic and support your team well, but you’re not doing your club any favours if you’re getting stadium bans or if your team is getting thrown out of Europe, so you want your fans to be well-behaved.”
When West Ham received their recent ban, there was a suspended second fixture included.
West Ham are at serious risk of an enforced second away fan ban in Europe if there is any trouble on Thursday night from their supporters.
The Hammers were issued with a £50,000 fine and a European ban for their first two fixtures away from home by UEFA, with the second away… pic.twitter.com/P69WRr3m7c
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) October 24, 2023
Essential information for West Ham fans in Athens
West Ham fans must take the compulsory coach convoy to the Karaiskakis Stadium. A police escort will be given from the Panathenaic Stadium, the other arena which is the meeting point. These coaches will go well before kick-off to avoid trouble, which will be a great pain for supporters, but Athens police say plans are in place for supporter safety. Fans who do not use the coaches could be turned away from the stadium.
There will be a 30-minute hold-back at the Karaiskakis Stadium before fans are transported back to the Panathenaic Stadium.
Best videos of West Ham fans in Athens
Check out the best videos and photos of West Ham fans in Greece so far. We'll keep this regularly updated.
West Ham fans in fine voice in Athens Credit: @DavidBaker66 pic.twitter.com/rxXL9Y71FZ
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) October 25, 2023
Best things to do in Athens
Here's a useful map with great things to do and see in Athens: