West Ham are working on a plan to move stands closer to the pitch and improve the match day atmosphere at the London stadium.

The lower tiers of the Sir Trevor Brooking and Bobby Moore stands – behind the goals – could be moved forward by as much as four metres. 

They also hope to square off the lower tiers to give the stands more of a conventional football stadium aesthetic.

West Ham want to move stands closer to the pitch behind the goals at the London stadium 

West Ham have presented their ideas to fans at a supporters meeting and have written to season ticket holders in those areas of the stadium to inform them that the possibility is being explored.

West Ham’s vice-chairman Karen Brady said: ‘Last year I re-stated the club’s commitment to supporters that we were constantly working hard to continue to enhance the match day experience at every level. 

‘My team and I have been working hard in the background with stadium management, mindful that seating is something supporters wanted us to explore and we have listened.

West Ham also hope to square off the lower tier of the stands behind each goal at the venue

‘Following positive feedback on the initial concept we are pleased that we are now in a position to be able to move forward. 

‘As part of the process it is important, first and foremost, that we consult with fans currently in those stands on any proposals and have already started that process.’ 

West Ham left Upton Park and moved into the London stadium in 2016. The venue was built for the London Olympics in 2012. 

John Motson has been reprimanded by talkSPORT chiefs after describing Millwall striker Tom Elliott as ‘big, black and brave’ on air at the weekend.

The legendary commentator has been dragged into a race row after the controversial comments were made during the station’s coverage of Millwall’s 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday.

Speaking pre-match when describing Elliott’s physical presence, the 73-year-old described the striker as ‘big, black and brave’ – an expression that has obvious racial connotations.

John Motson has been reprimanded by talkSPORT for calling Tom Elliott ‘big, black and brave’

Sportsmail understands that Motson has been spoken to since the broadcast and reminded of his responsibilities. The broadcast has since been removed from talkSPORT’s website.

Motson is one of the most revered sports broadcasters of a generation but his comments on Saturday could cast a shadow over a legendary career.

A talkSPORT spokesman said: ‘We reviewed a live commentary by John Motson and decided to remove it from replay. TalkSPORT and all of its broadcasters take such matters very seriously and would never wish to offend.’

Comments about Elliott (right) occurred in coverage of Millwall’s win over AFC Wimbledon

Bayern Munich trained on the Anfield pitch on Monday ahead of the Champions League last-16 first leg clash with Liverpool. 

Global football stars Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer were put through their paces at Liverpool’s home ground as the Bundesliga club settled into their surroundings before Tuesday night’s game

Head coach Niko Kovac and midfielder Thiago Alcantara also spoke at a press conference in the lead up to Bayern’s first competitive encounter with Liverpool since a 3-2 defeat in the UEFA Super Cup in 2001.

Bayern Munich trained at Anfield ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool

German international Thomas Muller stretches on the eve of the last-16 first leg tie

Bayern Munich players warm-up on the Anfield centre circle on Monday evening

Striker Kingsley Coman, who has made 15 appearances this season, took part in the session

Former Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski volleys the ball at Anfield

Bayern defender Jerome Boateng could play on Tuesday despite not making their initial squad.

The German had been ruled out with ‘stomach flu’ but Bayern boss Niko Kovac said ‘he could yet be an option’ if medical staff rule ‘he’s not an infection risk’.

The Croatian coach also said he is only ‘optimistic’ forward Kingsley Coman will be available, despite the Frenchman being declared fit on Saturday.

Spaniard Javi Martinez offers a word of advice to fellow defender Rafinha

Goalkeepers Manuel Neuer (left) and Sven Ulreich collect low shots in training

Niko Kovac talks to his team as Bayern aim to score their very first goal at Anfield

Bayern Munich have won only one of their seven matches against Liverpool in European competition (D4 L2), which came in the Cup Winners Cup second round back in November 1971 with two goals from Gerd Müller and one from Uli Hoeness in Munich.

The clubs’ only previous encounter in the European Cup came in the 1980-81 semi-finals. Liverpool progressed on away goals (1-1 on aggregate) and would go on to beat Real Madrid 1-0 in the final.

Bayern haven’t scored a single goal in their three games against Liverpool at Anfield, a statistic which Kovac hopes his team will change.

Liverpool head to the Allianz Arena for the deciding second leg on March 13. 

Bayern coach Kovac was in high spirits as he spoke to the media on Monday

Thiago Alcantara was also fielded questions as Bayern aim to win at Anfield for the first time

There is always a handful of fans at every club around the globe that think they know better, but a cohort of Barcelona fans have really outdone themselves by questioning the ability of Lionel Messi.

By his own high standards, the No 10 did not enjoy his greatest evening on Saturday when he missed one penalty but scored with another to help his side limp to a 1-0 win over Real Vallodolid. Not too shabby for a bad night’s work. 

However, despite Ernesto Valverde’s men going seven points clear at the top of La Liga, that was not enough for some fans, who were disappointed by the Argentinean’s display.  

Lionel Messi has seen his performance against Real Vallodolid called into question by fans

The Argentinean missed from the spot during the league fixture at the Nou Camp on Saturday

However, the No 10 did score from another penalty, helping his side go seven points clear

Dismissing the fact Messi has scored 30 goals in 30 appearances this season to date, one supporter sought to hone in on his tactical and spacial awareness, or lack of. 

Picking out one moment where Ousmane Dembele bursts into the Valldolid half, the Twitter user is adamant that the 31-year-old has misjudged the situation terribly and really should have been sprinting beyond the Frenchman.

Forgetting for a second the difficulty even Usain Bolt might have overlapping Dembele in full flight, the supporter states, without a hint of mischief: ‘We gotta talk about Messi.

‘Here‘s a scene where he has to do better, his off the ball movement at the counter attack isn‘t good enough.’

To his credit, he gives the scene the full Neville and Carragher treatment, crosses and arrows – the works really – to depict how the attack should have gone, if only Messi knew his onions.  

Incredibly, some supporters were happy to pick up the pitchforks and torches. 

@Barcastastic commented: ‘Yeah his decision making was not so good safe to say he had an bad game.’ 

Another added: ‘Well he’s hasn’t been himself lately,’ conveniently forgetting that the man has netted in nine of his last 10 La Liga appearances. 

At least a couple of people appeared to see the peverse nature of the witch hunt against Messi. 

Commenting with just a hint of sarcasm, one user responded: ‘I’ve never rated him to be honest, he is just an Argentine Jermaine Pennant.’