Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham gala dinner wrecked as angry fans brawl in wake of relegation
ShareWest Ham's disastrous season plumbed new depths on Monday night when a brawl erupted at the club's swanky end-of-season bash. [LNB]Sportsmail understands that trouble flared after striker Demba Ba allegedly refused to sign an autograph for a supporter. [LNB] Flashpoint: Police talk to security staff at the London Grosvenor House hotel after trouble flared at the West Ham end-of-season gala dinner[LNB]Centre of attention: Frederic Piquionne (left) and Demba Ba pose with an unidentified fan[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Who do you think is to blame for West Ham's slump? West Ham will play Championship football next season after they suffered an agonising defeat at relegation rivals Wigan on Sunday. Manager Avram Grant has already been sacked by the board, while Scott Parker will lead the exodus. But who do you think is responsible? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Angry scenes marred the ?275-a-head dinner at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. Scott Parker swept the board for awards, but the evening will be remembered for all the wrong reasons after an unsightly brawl. [LNB]A witness said: 'There were a couple of supporters who were asking Demba Ba for his autograph. But he turned round and said he was too tired. [LNB]'The fans said they were season-ticket holders and didn't deserve to be spoken to like that. Then it all kicked off.' [LNB]Officials from the relegated club tried to brush off the incident, claiming the supporters involved were known troublemakers. But the ugly scenes piled more misery on the club just 24 hours after losing their top-flight status. [LNB]Securityguards rushed to defuse the situation as punches and plates were thrownand tables turned over, before the unruly supporters were ushered out of the room. [LNB]Celebrity supporter, Sky Sports presenter Ben Shephard - the host for the evening - and co-owner David Gold made desperate appeals for calm while fans fled the hotel to avoid any harm. Two police cars were sent to the scene. [LNB] All white on the night? Karren Brady arrives with her husband Paul Peschisolido[LNB] Calm before the storm: west Ham co-chairman David Gold arrives at London's Grosvenor House hotel for the club's end of season gala dinner on Monday night[LNB] Red mist: David Sullivan is welcomed to the party from his giant Bentley[LNB]West Ham players had been instructed to attend the event, which attracted 750 guests, and warned by letter they would face a fine of a week's wages if they failed to comply, although Carlton Cole and Robert Green were excused- Cole because of a neck injury and goalkeeper Green because his wife is due to give birth at any time. [LNB]The incident was an unwelcome distraction from appointing a new manager to replace Avram Grant, who was sacked little more than an hour after Sunday's 3-2 defeat by Wigan, which ensured relegation.[LNB] No worries: Mark Noble and Robbie Keane are all smiles as they leave the dinner in a taxi[LNB]Co-ownerDavid Sullivan broke his silence on the sacking, saying: 'Avram is a lovely person but the results speak for themselves. It was a bad selection by the board. [LNB]'We all share some of the blame for the results - the board, the manager and theteam. However, the team can only play the tactics and formation they are asked to play.[LNB] Glum: West Ham's Jack Collison (left) and Julien Faubert arrive for the end-of-season awards dinner[LNB]'We want a manager who will get the best out of the squad and foster a strong team spirit.[LNB]Sullivan also moved to ease fears that relegation from the top flight would have dire financial implications for the club.[LNB]'Debts will fall as we [the owners] will put in more money,' he said. 'The financial burden to us and our families will rise, not the debts of the club.'[LNB]Fellow owner Gold is adamant the next manager should have the right credentials to lead the team back into the Premier League.[LNB]He said: 'The sooner the better because we have a lot of work to do - an enormous amount of work - but we mustn't be rushed. This will be a very, very important appointment.'[LNB] Sad end: Police guard outside the hotel after West Ham's dinner[LNB] The club have drawn up a short-list of five managers they believe can lead them back into the Barclays Premier League. [LNB]Martin O'Neill remains the preferred choice, but Sportsmail can reveal that Norwich City's Paul Lambert, Cardiff's Dave Jones and out-of-work bosses Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren are also being considered. [LNB]Even though O'Neill rejected their advances in the bungled attempt to replace Grant in January, Gold and fellow co-owner David Sullivan remain convinced that he is the best option. But the former Aston Villa and Celtic manager is sure to be alarmed by the part they have played in West Ham's demise.[LNB]The reasons Sullivan gave for the failure of club directors to attend the recent match at Manchester City -he said he was sick of watching the team's poor away form - was also seen as a PR own goal.[LNB]Central figure: Striker Demba Ba is said to have faced abuse from supporters at the dinner after refusing an autograph[LNB]In West Ham's favour is the fact thatO'Neill's continuing dispute with Villa over his departure last August should soon be resolved. A Premier League managers' arbitration panel isdue to hear the case this week. [LNB]Former England manager McClaren is also considered a serious contender, but he distanced himself from the job last night.[LNB] 'It is very flattering to be linked with a club of West Ham's size and historic stature, also one that has tremendous fans,' McClaren told Sky Sports. 'However, at this moment in time I do not wish to be considered for the position.' [LNB]Kevin Keen will take temporary chargeof the team against Sunderland on Sunday, but Gold said the club would appoint a replacement for Grant as soon as possible. [LNB] Fernandes ready to revive West Ham interest as experts sound debt warningWe won't rush to find the right man, vow West Ham in bid to replace axed GrantWest Ham committed to 2012 stadium despite dropping out of top flightAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Martin O'Neill, Jack Collison, Robert Green, Paul Lambert, Carlton Cole, Sam Allardyce, David Sullivan, David Gold, Ben Shephard, Steve McClaren Places: London, Cardiff, United Kingdom
