FA launch second investigation into smoke bomb incident at West Ham

According a report from 'Sportsmail', a 21 year old man Renaldo Haldeda, has already been charged by the London Metropolitan Police for throwing a smoke bomb onto the pitch, as well as being hit with criminal damage charges.

The man has been bailed, and will appear at Thames Magistrates Court on November 5. 

And on Saturday, during their team's 1-0 defeat at the hands of London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham fans appeared to set off another smoke bomb at one end of the club's London Stadium. 

It was thought that the smoke bomb was set off in celebration of the home team's equaliser, scored by Javier Hernandez. But the goal was immediately ruled out for offside. The smoke bomb was followed by the accidental setting off of the club's bubble machine, causing chaos in the stands.

 

October 20, 2018

In a statement released on Monday, West Ham United said: "The Club can confirm that it is assisting police with its investigation. Together with LS185, the stadium operator, West Ham United has a zero tolerance policy towards any behaviour of this nature, with the safety of all supporters always the Club’s number one priority.'

 The Public Order Act of 1986 makes it an offence for a person to have in their possession any firework, flare or smoke bomb at a sports' event. A smoke bomb falls into this category due to the heat that it emits after being set off, which can cause burns.

The FA will now request observations from West Ham regarding the incident, so that it can conduct a full and thorough investigation into the incident, and bring the culprits responsible to justice. 

The FA are keen to decipher just how supporters managed to smuggle pyrotechnics into the venue, considering the thorough searches conducted before entry to each fixture.