- West Ham have opened an investigation into the behaviour of their own fans
- Jake Livermore was involved in an angry exchange with West Ham supporters
- It is alleged the England international was taunted over the death of his son
- The midfielder stepped into the stands after being substituted on Tuesday night
- The incident occurred during West Ham’s dramatic victory over West Brom
- ‘There’s no way he’s going in the crowd… unless he was provoked severely’
West Ham have opened an investigation after it was alleged West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore was taunted by home fansover the death of his baby son at the London Stadium.
Livermore became embroiled in an angry exchange after being substituted in the second half and stepped into the stands in confrontation before he was led away to the dressing room by a member of the West Brom staff.
Albion manager Alan Pardew claimed the England midfielder had been provoked and coach John Carver remonstrated with the stewards charged with protecting the players on the bench before order was restored.
West Brom player Jake Livermore clashed with West Ham supporters at the London Stadium
The midfielder was replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu during the second half on Tuesday night
Livermore and his partner Danielle Del-Giudice lost their newborn son, Jake Junior, just days after the FA Cup final in 2014.
Twelve months on the midfielder tested positive for cocaine, but was not banned by the Football Association, who took into account the unique details behind his situation.
‘The only thing I know is I’ve see Jake in the crowd, which disturbed me,’ said Pardew. ‘Obviously you don’t want to see a player in the crowd.
‘There’s no way he’s going in the crowd, because I know him, he’s a great lad, unless he was provoked severely.
‘That’s all I know. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Jake. I’ll speak to Jake and we’ll go from there.’
The England international became embroiled in an angry exchange after being substituted
Livermore was led down the tunnel by a member of the West Brom staff after the clashes
Livermore had been a late inclusion into the Albion team, promoted from the substitutes when Matt Phillips hurt a hamstring in the warm-up.
He was replaced by Hal Robson-Kanu after 65 minutes and the incident occurred when he took his seat on the bench.
West Ham manager David Moyes said he had not seen what happened and did not wish to comment.