A group of West Ham supporters incensed by the club's decision to ban up to 200 supporters following disturbances in the EFA Cup game against Chelsea are urging fellow fans to join in with a protest next week.



The group has started its own Facebook page

On Saturday, 3 December West Ham will play host to London rivals Arsenal in the weekend's big London derby. And a group of fans are hoping to mark the occasion by protesting against what they see as unfair treatment by the club of its fans."We need to stand up to the club regarding the ongoing resentment and treatment of its fans," read a statement by spokesperson John Hallett posted on West Ham United's own Facebook page."First we had the 200 fans that have received bans without being shown any evidence or explanation of why their STs have been revoked, after this we had fans in 114 moved against their wishes and now we have the yellow cap snatch squad, whose members were sent into section 127 to harass and provoke loyal fans."This should be the last straw for what has (so far) been an ill-thought-out stadium transition."And the group have called for fans to demonstrate their dissatisfaction by leaving the stadium empty when the match - which is being broadcast live on TV - kicks off."We need a show of solidarity to fellow fans without affecting the team," added Hallett. "Therefore at the Arsenal match please refrain from taking to your seat until just after the match has started, show the owners and Brady what a big stadium looks like with no fans and no noise (not even bubbles)."On your way to the seat please let Brady & Co know how we feel, but after that please back the team all through the game, whether seated or standing be as noisy as you can."This will be the easiest and cheapest protest to organise with the large numbers involved and will look very effective on TV with a completely empty home section at kick off and will hopefully get the message across for the club and stadium operators to work with us not against."