Dutch police released two arrested Legia Warsaw football players after detaining them for almost a day.
Legia Warsaw Football Players Arrested Due to Violence
Dutch authorities arrested two Legia Warsaw football players after a match at AZ Alkmaar. Police said the two men apparently injured a steward.
On Thursday, Oct. 5, they seized Josué Pesqueira (Portugal) and Radovan Pankov (Serbia). The two players will return to Poland.
The Polish government and football authorities objected to the detentions. They also appealed for explanations from the Dutch authorities.
According to Dutch police, Legia Warsaw fans arrived at the game in a chaotic way. They charged to the gate and injured three police officers, knocking one of them unconscious.
There were powerful fireworks found on some supporters, which could threaten security. Moreover, a few supporters took the police’s batons and pepper spray and got in with no tickets. The clash between fans and authorities started when the police sealed some exits following the match.
The Dutch side blames Legia and their supporters for provoking the sequence of aggression. The belligerence led to the furore with police after Legia lost the game to Alkmaar.
“Polish players and fans must be treated according to law. We do not agree to law violations,” tweeted Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on X.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) was obtaining evidence to consider probable disciplinary cases. Clubs are liable for their supporters’ behaviour at European games stadiums.
Poland Called Up the Dutch Ambassador
Following the arrest of the two alleged Legia Warsaw football players, Poland sought out the Dutch ambassador for an explanation.
“It is clear from the unequivocal testimony of the victims that the actions of the mayor of Alkmaar and the local police, in particular, can be interpreted as being characterised by national prejudice,” said the Polish foreign ministry.
The ministry added that appalling situations have emerged in which Polish fans, spectators, players, and officials of Legia Warsaw club became liable to physical and verbal abuse.
Legia Warsaw, also known as Legia Warszawa, is an iconic football club in Poland founded in 1916 with a long and distinguished history in football. The club has competed in European competitions like the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, representing Polish football on an international stage. Over its history, they have produced notable players who remain prominent figures within Polish football today.
Image Credit: Erik Cleves Kristensen/WikimediaCommons
