Video footage, which surfaced rapidly on social media and was shared by fan accounts during the live broadcast, appeared to show a small group of Hammers supporters attempting to ignite or set fire to an object (possibly a flare, scarf, or improvised item) in the stands shortly after Ekitike’s goal. The act, occurring amid the chaos of the early setback for the visitors, was quickly intervened by stewards and nearby fans, but not before clear visuals captured the moment — flames briefly visible in the crowded away section, prompting immediate alarm and outrage.
The clip went viral within minutes, amassing thousands of views and shares. Liverpool supporters condemned it as “disgusting” and “dangerous,” with many pointing out the fire risk in a packed stadium and calling for lifetime bans. “Trying to set something alight right after we score? That’s not passion, that’s criminal 😡,” one prominent Reds fan account posted. West Ham fans were split: some distanced themselves fiercely, insisting it was “just a few idiots” and not representative of the broader support, while others defended it weakly as frustration boiling over in a heated rivalry.
The controversy drew sharp criticism beyond the two clubs. Neutral supporters from across the Premier League labeled it “crossed the line completely,” with comments flooding in like “Football is about rivalry, not arson — this is unacceptable 🔥🚒.” Even managers and pundits weighed in during post-match discussions; one former player on Sky Sports called it “deeply disturbing and a stain on the game,” emphasizing that such actions endanger lives and have no place in modern football. The FA and Premier League are expected to review the footage, potentially leading to sanctions against West Ham similar to recent fines for fan misconduct at other grounds.
What began as a thrilling football moment — Ekitike’s deflected strike from Ryan Gravenberch’s pass, followed by his thumbs-up to the Kop where a new banner in his honor had been unveiled pre-match — quickly devolved into a heated debate about fan behavior, respect, and boundaries. The game itself turned into a goal-fest, with Liverpool eventually running out 5-2 winners thanks to further strikes from Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and an Axel Disasi own goal, plus a Tomas Soucek reply and a late header from Valentin Castellanos for West Ham. Ekitike’s early goal and two assists proved pivotal, but the off-pitch drama overshadowed much of the post-match talk.
Liverpool issued a statement reaffirming their zero-tolerance policy on unsafe conduct, while West Ham distanced themselves, promising to cooperate with any investigations and stressing that “the vast majority of our supporters behaved impeccably.” Stewards acted swiftly to extinguish the issue, preventing escalation, but the images have reignited broader conversations about pyrotechnics, away fan conduct, and how rivalries can tip into recklessness.
In a day defined by seven goals and Anfield’s electric atmosphere, this disturbing act has forced football to confront uncomfortable questions once more: where exactly should the line be drawn between passion and peril? As reactions continue to pour in, the incident serves as a stark reminder that the beautiful game can turn ugly in an instant.
