Michail Antonio could potentially face a ban in European competitions for his critical remarks towards match officials, if West Ham progresses past Calais. Antonio expressed his frustration, feeling that his team deserved more decisions during the game. He also criticized the officiating, stating that it felt like they were playing against more than 11 men. Furthermore, the match saw several bookings and a controversial sending off from both benches.

West Ham’s manager, David Moyes, commended his players’ efforts and hoped that their opponents, Bayer Leverkusen, would be affected by their recent title celebrations. Unfortunately, West Ham fell short over the two legs, despite their remarkable European journey under Moyes’ leadership. The tension escalated with accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct and a red card shown to one of Leverkusen’s staff, resulting in a heated confrontation between the coaches and a brawl on the field. Despite their efforts, West Ham ultimately failed to progress.

The match also featured an advertisement for a new WhatsApp community with Mirror Football content, special offers, promotions, and partner adverts.