Premier League match suspended as Granit Xhaka clashes with West Ham fans | Football | Sport

West Ham‘s Premier League match against Sunderland was temporarily halted at Saturday lunchtime following a heated confrontation involving Granit Xhaka and some home supporters at the London Stadium. The early kick-off was briefly suspended after an altercation erupted between spectators and players seated on the substitutes’ bench.

The Hammers held a commanding 3-1 lead in the dying moments when Sunderland midfielder Xhaka appeared to engage in a heated exchange with a supporter positioned behind him. Additional players and match officials subsequently intervened, with the VAR altering the referee to the incident. Thomas Bramall was eventually forced to suspend play momentarily. Xhaka was not in the squad due to an ankle injury but travelled with his team-mates and sat behind the bench. There, the 33-year-old took offence to something said from the crowd behind him.

Xhaka could be seen gesticulating in the direction of a West Ham fan carrying a young child. The man appeared to perform an X-rated gesture with his hand in the Switzerland international’s direction while laughing. Stewards entered the section of the crowd to help calm the matter down.

Action continued around 20 seconds later with the hosts claiming a crucial three points in their fight against top-flight relegation.

Sunderland have been enjoying their Premier League comeback, though they received a harsh lesson at the London Stadium. Goals from Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen and Matheus Fernandes delivered victory.

The Hammers, currently fighting against relegation, overwhelmed Sunderland with all three goals coming in a dominant opening 45 minutes. Brian Brobbey pulled one back for the visitors in the second half but they could not mount a full comeback in east London.

Reflecting after the final whistle, TNT Sports’ pundit Ally McCoist remarked: “West Ham thoroughly deserved the victory, especially in the first half. A massive, massive win.”

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris said of the incident involving Xhaka: “I don’t know really [what happened], it’s always a shame when something like that happens, but I don’t know.”

And he added of his skipper’s injury: “It’s ankle injury, he has a period of rest and see how long he will be.”