Legia Warsaw fans banned for next five away games

Published on: 13 December 2023

Police clashed with Legia Warsaw fans before the Polish club's game at Aston Villa on 30 November

Legia Warsaw have been banned from selling tickets to their fans for five European away games after the violence that marred their Europa Conference League defeat at Aston Villa.

The Polish side have also been fined 100,000 euros (£86,100) by European football's governing body Uefa.

Uefa said the punishment was "for crowd disturbances, acts of damage, throwing of objects and lighting of fireworks" on 30 November.

Aston Villa won the game 2-1.

Uefa also ordered Legia Warsaw "to contact Aston Villa FC within 30 days for the settlement of the damages caused by its supporters, ie for the broken high fences and the broken lighting pole".

Four police officers were hurt in clashes with away fans near Villa Park in the build-up to the game between the two sides.

West Midlands Police said officers were "faced with disgusting and highly dangerous scenes", including having flares thrown at them.

Away fans were blocked from entering the stadium over safety fears.

Officers with batons and shields were seen trying to regain control of the area while missiles were launched at them as fans of the Polish side attempted to force their way through barriers.

Disorder is believed to have been triggered by tensions over restrictions on the number of away fans who were going to be permitted to enter Villa Park for the match.

Police said the allocation for visiting supporters had been reduced to 1,000 tickets on the advice of local emergency services, adding Legia fans had "been involved in previous matchday disorder".

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Source: bbc.com

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