Work has begun to construct a “steel ring” around the Olympic Park to stop fans from gathering near London Stadium in West Ham United before, during or after their remaining Premier League matches.
Clubs and groups of supporters across the country stressed the importance of fans not turning up outside stadiums, but London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his concern for all the top-flight and championship clubs in the city.
A 12ft fence across the Olympic Park perimeter is now hoped to keep supporters away on matchdays, and discourage them from crowding outside the park.
Workers had been putting the fence on the bridges towards the stadium from Monday morning.
A worker involved in the development of the fence told football.london that, on non-matchdays, it would remain open to public access.
But the park would be closed the morning before games to deter fans from gathering outside, who wilfully behave against government advice.
The managers at the club and the stadium were contacted for comment. Moreover, it’s unclear if the action taken at London Stadium is likely to be replicated elsewhere.
With their first game back against Wolves on Saturday, June 20, David Moyes’ side has five home fixtures to play.
On July 1, West Ham will also welcome local Chelsea rivals to the E20, followed by home games against Burnley, Watford and Aston Villa.
