THIS is the shocking moment notorious Ferencvaros ultras disguise themselves as stewards and launch a surprise brawl against their European rivals.
Ferencvaros, often dubbed Hungary‘s most feared football fans, kicked off a huge melee with AZ Alkmaar supporters in their tense Europa League clash on Thursday.
X/@thecasualultraThe fake security managed to get close enough to the AZ Alkmaar fans through teir high visibility jackets[/caption]
X/@footbalIfightsDrinks were thrown at the raging crowds from both sides of the stands[/caption]
X/@thecasualultraThe hooligan security managed to mix in with the actual security teams to pull off the brazen plan[/caption]
X/@thecasualultraRiot police ended up being called in to deal with the clashes[/caption]
The Hungarian champions narrowly won the game 4-3 despite a late AZ Alkmaar surge in extra time when they scored twice.
But the action on the pitch was overshadowed by fighting up in the stands.
Footage shows dozens of Ferencvaros ultras secretly dressed up in high visibility security jackets making their way down the stairs in Budapest’s Groupama Arena.
Their sneaky plan saw them mix in with the actual security policing the away end to keep any trouble at bay between the two sets of supporters.
The large group of men managed to get as close as possible to the AZ Alkmaar fans before punches were thrown – sparking chaos in the stands.
Both sets of supporters then appear to start launching strikes at each other in the brutal brawl.
Onlooking fans from either side of the railings quickly noticed the fighting with drinks soon flying in from several angles at the fiery crowd.
The genuine security teams in place could be seen trying to break up the brawl as the melee continued on for some time.
Riot police equipped with protective visors and batons were soon forced to be drafted in as the fake security broke through into the stands.
The Europa League game between Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar was always tipped to be a highly intense affair due to the history of both sides.
Ferencvaros’ fans have long been considered one of the most violent teams in Central Europe over past altercations.
Governing body UEFA have sanctioned the club on several occasions in the past.
Hooligans linked to the club reportedly stabbed four Millwall fans in 2004 before a UEFA Cup match.
Uefa also charged the club over crowd trouble and racist abuse directed towards Millwall players.
Then in 2013, fans also fought with police after a friendly match against Leeds United.
AZ Alkmaar away days are also known to English fans as a potentially volatile trip.
In 2023, hooded AZ Alkmaar yobs smashed down barriers to storm their own main stand via two sets of stairs and attack West Ham supporters.
Several West Ham players, including sporting director Mark Noble, rushed to help protect them from the thugs – who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas.
There were also clashes between West Ham and AZ fans ahead of kick-off, who again were masked as they caused mayhem on the streets of Alkmaar.
A local news outlet described it being a “grim atmosphere” before and during the match.
AZ’s hooliganism is said to stem from the club’s early days with a group known as the “Ben Side” supporters.
The name refers to where the group sits in the Jan van der Ben stand, which was named after a predecessor club’s chairman.
The group claims they “made their mark for the first time” during an away match at Feyenoord in 1977, according to an AZ supporter website.
There they clashed with opposition fans, throwing beer bottles and cans at players.
In another notorious meeting, the group clashed with Haarlem in June 1977.
Riots ensued over the game, with many supporters brining knives, and cops later made several arrests.
A 16-year-old was stabbed and around 28 people arrested during a particularly horrific altercation in March 1986 between AZ and PSV fans.
The teenager, a PSV fan who was not identified, was rushed to hospital.
GettyAZ Alkmaar away days are also known to English fans as a potentially volatile trip after fights broke out in 2023 with West Ham supporters[/caption]
GettyThe AZ Alkmaar brawl saw masked and hoodied yobs attack[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
