West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen clashed on the touchline at the London Stadium (TNT Sports)

Xabi Alonso believes the touchline row between West Ham and Bayer Leverkusen coaching staff was linked to the clash from the first leg of their Europa League tie.

West Ham conceded two late goals in Germany last week but got off to a flying start in the second leg on Thursday evening as Michail Antonio scored after 14 minutes.

However, David Moyes’ side were unable to find a second goal and Jeremie Frimpong’s equaliser in the 89th minute sealed a 1-1 draw for Leverkusen and a 3-1 win on aggregate to set up a Europa League semi-final tie against Roma.

The draw at the London Stadium also extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten run to 44 games, which is a new record set by a club in Europe’s top five leagues.
Last week, Moyes branded Leverkusen a ‘disgrace’ for their conduct on the touchline and accused Alonso’s coaching staff of influencing referee Artur Dias in the decision to give Lucas Paqueta a yellow card, which meant he was suspended for the return leg.

Tempers flared between the two benches once again on Thursday evening with West Ham assistant Billy McKinlay and Leverkusen coach Sebastian Parrilla both sent off for their part in a heated touchline altercation.

West Ham assistant Billy McKinlay and Leverkusen coach Sebastian Parrilla were at the centre of the touchline bust-up (PA)

West Ham assistant Billy McKinlay and Leverkusen coach Seba...