Thousands of Eintracht Frankfurt fans arrive at the London Stadium by a police escort

Eintracht Frankfurt flocked to the London Stadium in huge numbers and were escorted by the police ahead of their Europa League semi-final clash with West Ham.

There was a row over tickets following a threat from West Ham to ban any supporter found to have sold their seat to an away fan after an estimated 30,000 Frankfurt backers went to the Nou Camp for their quarter-final tie with Barcelona.

Nevertheless, the Bundesliga side might not have been able to bring as many to east London, but they came in numbers to create a huge atmosphere along with the Hammers.

The pre-match atmosphere was lively, with both set of fans bouncing, and singing to create a tremendous sound around the stadium.

BT Sport pundits Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Owen Hargreaves enjoyed soaking it up while previewing the semi-final tie.

Former Hammers striker Carlton Cole told BT Sport: ‘It’s buzzing, West Ham fans deserve something like this. 

‘I’ve been around and in crowds when it’s buzzing, but there is a different feel to this, there is a different atmosphere and you don’t get this in east London a lot, I’m telling ya. 

‘We’re the biggest club in east London, but we don’t get this experience a lot. 

‘We kind of look in envy when we look at Chelsea, Spurs sometimes, we wanted a bit of that success and this is what it’s about. These fans are going to be buzzing.’

Cole also joked that former Bayern Munich midfielder Hargreaves felt like he was in a nightclub, adding: ‘He feels like he is in a nightclub right now.’

Hargreaves said: ‘I’ve never seen so many happy faces in a West Ham stadium, the buzz is off the charts, look at the smiles on everybody’s faces. 

‘They’re up for it, they’ve produced in this competition, and they’ve been immense, and i think they’re going to get another performance tonight.

‘As fans these are highlight moments, both fans will be up for it, and the players will deliver.’

Former England star and West Ham winger Joe Cole insisted the away fans were playing just as big a part for the crazy atmosphere.    

‘The scenes and this is has gone up another level from the last game. What a journey, what a set of fans, and fully deserved all the success that they’re having. 

‘Frankfurt fans are playing their part as well. It’s going to be a great atmosphere, it’s going to be a great game, and it’s important for the players on the pitch to keep a cool head.’