• A fan holds up a corner flag after invading the pitch at West Ham vs Burnley at the London Satdium. David Klein / Reuters
    A fan holds up a corner flag after invading the pitch at West Ham vs Burnley at the London Satdium. David Klein / Reuters
  • West Ham United's Mark Noble clashes with a fan who has invaded the pitch. Peter Cziborra / Reuters
    West Ham United's Mark Noble clashes with a fan who has invaded the pitch. Peter Cziborra / Reuters
  • A pitch invader is seized by security staff during the English Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham at the Olympic London Stadium in London. Daniel Hambury / PA via AP
    A pitch invader is seized by security staff during the English Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham at the Olympic London Stadium in London. Daniel Hambury / PA via AP
  • Fans clash with West Ham United's James Collins after invading the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
    Fans clash with West Ham United's James Collins after invading the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
  • West Ham United's James Collins clashes with a fan who invaded the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
    West Ham United's James Collins clashes with a fan who invaded the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
  • Police look on at the fans after the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on March 10, 2018 in London. Jordan Mansfield / Getty Images
    Police look on at the fans after the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on March 10, 2018 in London. Jordan Mansfield / Getty Images
  • West Ham United fans react as police and stewards look on. David Klein / Reuters
    West Ham United fans react as police and stewards look on. David Klein / Reuters
  • West Ham United fans remonstrate with co chairman David Sullivan and vice chairman Karren Brady in the stands. David Klein / Reuters
    West Ham United fans remonstrate with co chairman David Sullivan and vice chairman Karren Brady in the stands. David Klein / Reuters
  • A fan clashes with West Ham United's James Collins after invading the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
    A fan clashes with West Ham United's James Collins after invading the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
  • West Ham United's Mark Noble clashes with a fan who invaded the pitch as Joe Hart intervenes. David Klein / Reuters
    West Ham United's Mark Noble clashes with a fan who invaded the pitch as Joe Hart intervenes. David Klein / Reuters
  • West Ham United fans hold up banners protesting against the board. David Klein / Reuters
    West Ham United fans hold up banners protesting against the board. David Klein / Reuters
  • Police secure the area after a pitch invader ran onto the pitch during the English Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham at the Olympic London Stadium. Daniel Hambury / PA via AP
    Police secure the area after a pitch invader ran onto the pitch during the English Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham at the Olympic London Stadium. Daniel Hambury / PA via AP
  • A pitch invader falls to the pitch confronted by West Ham's Mark Noble, with goalkeeper Joe Hart, right, during the English Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham at the Olympic London Stadium. Daniel Hambury / PA via AP
    A pitch invader falls to the pitch confronted by West Ham's Mark Noble, with goalkeeper Joe Hart, right, during the English Premier League match between Burnley and West Ham at the Olympic London Stadium. Daniel Hambury / PA via AP
  • West Ham United fans react after the match. David Klein / Reuters
    West Ham United fans react after the match. David Klein / Reuters
  • A fan is tackled by stewards after invading the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
    A fan is tackled by stewards after invading the pitch. David Klein / Reuters
  • West Ham United's Mark Noble clashes with a fan who has invaded the pitch. Action Images via Reuters / Peter Cziborra
    West Ham United's Mark Noble clashes with a fan who has invaded the pitch. Action Images via Reuters / Peter Cziborra

West Ham defeat to Burnley descends into chaos as fans storm pitch - in pictures


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West Ham captain Mark Noble pushed a pitch invader to the ground as frustrations boiled over during a 3-0 loss to Burnley on Saturday, leading to an emergency meeting being called by the club with the Olympic Stadium operators.

West Ham said it was "committed to taking decisive and appropriate action" after launching a "full and thorough investigation" into the disorder.

Moments after Ashley Barnes gave Burnley the lead in the Premier League match, a man ran onto the pitch from the home end. With no stewards on hand to remove the fan, an enraged Noble grabbed him and threw him to the floor.

Two more fans then encroached on the pitch and were led away by West Ham defender James Collins.

After Chris Wood put Burnley 2-0 up, another fan picked up the corner flag, marched to the centre circle and planted it in the ground. West Ham fans also gathered below the directors' box chanting "Sack the board."

The atmosphere grew increasingly toxic, with West Ham three points above the relegation zone.

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The team left its Upton Park home of 112 years to move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016 and there was crowd disorder in the opening weeks.

Whereas Upton Park provided a formidable atmosphere, fans are separated from the pitch by the running track in their expansive, largely taxpayer-funded new home. It is only being rented from the company in charge of securing the legacy of venues from the 2012 Olympics.

The holding name "London Stadium" highlights the failure to secure the naming rights envisaged — a pursuit that could be even harder after the latest turmoil.

"An emergency meeting has been called with all London Stadium stakeholders," West Ham said.