Crowd trouble flared at half-time during an exhibition match between West Ham United and the Columbus Crew in Ohio on Sunday evening with scuffles involving about 100 Columbus fans and about 30 West Ham supporters breaking out and spreading from the seats into the stadium concourses.

The East London club tried to play down the incident yesterday. It was apparently sparked off when the visiting team's fans entered an area of Crew Stadium populated by Columbus's hardcore followers and beer was thrown over some spectators. There were also minor incidents after the match outside the stadium involving supporters from both clubs and the police.

About 500 West Ham followers, many of them based in the United States, were thought to have attended the match. One was arrested for a disorder offence.

“We understand this was an isolated incident leading to one initial arrest that was quickly dealt with by security staff,” Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief executive, said. “While we take such matters seriously and utterly condemn the actions of those involved, we must not let this mar what has been a positive trip so far and the excellent way we and our supporters have been treated in Columbus. The match was a fitting warm-up for the MLS All-Star Game, which we are proud to be involved in.”

West Ham beat Columbus 3-1 and play a Major League Soccer All-Star team, including David Beckham, in Toronto on Thursday.

Columbus fans have a boisterous reputation. One of their supporters' groups is called the Hudson Street Hooligans, echoing the 2005 film known in the US as Green Street Hooligans, which, coincidentally, is about an American who falls in with violent West Ham followers who teach him how to fight.

Explore Football

• Premier League

• Football League

• Scotland

• European Football

• International Football

• TheGame

• Live Match Tracker

• The Fink Tank

• Fantasy Football