Wild Europa League brawl includes clashes with police
Leicester City’s Europa League Match against Legia Warsaw ended in a violent brawl between fans and police at King Power Stadium.
During the second half of the Foxes’ 3-1 win over Warsaw on Thursday, 12 police officers were injured, according to Daily Mail. Two officers were reportedly sent to the hospital, one with a broken wrist and the other with a concussion.
Viral videos show the chaos, which took place in a section where visiting Legia Warsaw fans were seated. At one point, a sea of flares were set off and created a cloud of smoke in the stands while both teams continued play.
Fans reportedly threw objects amid the disarray, which saw Legia supporters rush security boundaries that were supposed to keep them from Leicester fans.
Authorities dressed in bright neon jackets and equipped with riot gear attempted to control 1,134 Legia fans, according to the outlet, which said the havoc lasted about 10 minutes.
The Union of European Football Association will launch an investigation into the incident, according to Daily Mail, which said Legia fans were held in the stadium after the final whistle.
One fan at the match said the scene was “unnerving to witness,” and defended police and Leicester supporters.
“The visiting fans unfolded a giant banner that suspiciously wasn’t moved for many minutes, there were hundreds of men under cover,” the fan said, via Leicestershire Live.
“Suddenly it dropped and 20 to 30 flares were lit and the atmosphere changed as smoke billowed around the stadium. Away fans then began pulling at the sheets that separated them from the home fans. Baton wielding police were battling with the sea of fans before riot police arrived. All eyes in the ground were on it – as the result was already beyond doubt. Police dealt with it well, but it was unnerving to witness, though it was no fault of LCFC or their fans.”
