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Mark Noble clashes with West Ham fan as anti-board protests erupt mid-match at London Stadium

 during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on March 10, 2018 in London, England.
Image: Mark Noble clashed with a pitch invader on Saturday

Mark Noble clashed with one of his own supporters as pitch invasions and crowd protests marred West Ham's 3-0 defeat to Burnley.

An FA investigation is underway while an emergency meeting of all London Stadium stakeholders has also been called after the West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold were forced to leave the game early for their own safety.

 during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on March 10, 2018 in London, England.
Image: One invading fan took a corner flag into the centre of the pitch

A throng of West Ham fans had turned their attention away from the game and onto the directors box as their side conceded second-half goals to Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood (2).

One supporter that encroached the pitch was thrown to the ground by club captain Noble, who was then restrained by goalkeeper Joe Hart. Two more fans encroached onto the pitch and were led away by defender James Collins.

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West Ham captain Mark Noble has admitted the club’s fans are creating 'a really tough atmosphere to play in' for their own team

The match was interrupted for a second time following Burnley's second goal when another pitch invader grabbed a corner flag and attempted to plant it in the centre of the pitch.

Meanwhile, home fans gathered below the directors' box chanted 'sack the board' and 'you destroyed our club', and police had to be positioned along the touchline and around the West Ham bench, where further disturbances took place.

West Ham fans
Image: Police had to be deployed to protect the West Ham bench

After a mistake from 'keeper Hart led to the third goal, he was approached by more angry supporters in a third pitch invasion with nine minutes of normal play remaining.

As part of the investigation into the trouble at the London Stadium, West Ham are working with the authorities to identify the four pitch invaders.

Stewarding and security on a match day is overseen by London Stadium 185 on behalf of the E20 Partnership.

A West Ham statement said: "We have immediately launched a full and thorough investigation into the incidents which marred the second half of today's match and are committed to taking decisive and appropriate action."

The FA said: "We strongly condemn the crowd disturbances seen today and will be seeking observations from West Ham as well as awaiting the match referee's report."

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The Premier League said: "It is essential that everybody who plays or attends a Premier League football match can do so safely. There is no place at any level of the game for what happened at the London Stadium today.

"While the official investigation of the incidents will be carried out by the Football Association, we will be asking our own questions of West Ham United about what happened this afternoon, especially to ensure similar events never reoccur.

"We would like to commend referee Lee Mason and his team of officials for their actions which, combined with the cooperation of players and coaching staff from both clubs, enabled the match to be completed."

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