The head of the UK’s Football Policing Unit wants Legia Warsaw thrown out of the Europa Conference League for their ‘violent’ conduct at Aston Villa on Thursday night.
West Midlands Police said 46 people were arrested outside Villa Park for violence involving visiting fans, with four officers injured and one hospitalised after a period of sustained violence.
Aston Villa have lodged an official complaint to UEFA over the actions of Legia Warsaw fans, while Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the head of the Football Policing Unit in this country, has urged the confederation to end the Polish club’s status in European club football.
‘From a police perspective they are extremely difficult to manage and there comes a point when you have to ask where police and public safety outweighs the needs of the competition.
Supporters of Polish side Legia Warsaw attacked police officers outside Villa Park on Thursday
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, head of the UK’s Football Policing Unit, wants them thrown out
‘I spoke to UEFA last night [Thursday] and we will speak again today [Friday]. They are urgently reviewing the situation. But I think there is a really good case for having them thrown out of the tournament.’
The match, which Aston Villa won 2-1, kicked off at 8pm without any Legia Warsaw fans in the ground.
Mail Sport understands that Legia were unhappy that their ticket allocation was reduced to 890 based on advice from the police and Safety Advisory Group, when UEFA rules allow the visiting team five per cent of the stadium’s capacity, or 2,100 tickets.
UEFA are investigating the incident, with a spokesman stating: ‘UEFA strongly condemns the unacceptable violence which occurred around the Aston Villa v Legia Warsaw match.
‘UEFA is in the process of gathering all official reports from the game before deciding on potential next steps.’
A statement published on the Villains’s website on Friday read: ‘Aston Villa can confirm it has lodged an official complaint with UEFA over the conduct of Legia Warsaw Football Club and the behaviour of their supporters prior to last night’s UEFA Europa Conference League match at Villa Park.
‘This shocking behaviour followed Legia club officials’ complete lack of cooperation with West Midlands Police, Aston Villa and UEFA throughout the day.’
Following Villa’s win, they have assured themselves of at least a place in the Conference League play-off round, whilst Legia Warsaw, who currently sit second, will join them in the knockout phase of the tournament if they avoid defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the final group stage game.
There were no away fans inside Villa Park when the Conference League game got underway
