Aston Villa has taken a decisive step by lodging an official complaint with UEFA following a series of distressing events involving Legia Warsaw and their fans. The incidents occurred before the Europa Conference League match on Thursday at Villa Park, resulting in injuries to four police officers and an empty stand as traveling fans were barred from entry. Aston Villa clinched victory in the match with a 2-1 win.
Confirming the complaint, Aston Villa asserted, “Aston Villa can confirm that they have lodged a formal complaint with UEFA about the conduct of Legia Warsaw and their fans ahead of last night’s UEFA Europa Conference League match at Villa Park.”
The English club pointed out that Legia Warsaw had been granted a reduced ticket allocation, compliant with UEFA regulations. Aston Villa also emphasized that they had communicated ticket allocation details to the Polish club four weeks prior to the game. However, Legia officials delayed confirming their acceptance until 4pm on Thursday, leading to a last-minute quandary.
Chris Heck, a spokesman for Aston Villa, expressed disappointment, stating, “The lack of cooperation and frustration from Legia Warsaw officials before the match was completely unacceptable and deeply disappointing.” He further criticized the behavior, highlighting the increased risk posed to West Midlands Police officers and the club’s fans before the game. Aston Villa strongly condemned the disorderly conduct displayed by Legia fans, deeming it incompatible with modern football or societal norms.
Amidst these developments, law enforcement announced 46 arrests, detailing, “Officers faced 90 minutes of continuous violence and four were injured. We are proud of our police officers and thank Aston Villa fans for their support.”
The statement underscores the seriousness of the incidents and reiterates the club’s stance against such unruly behavior in the realm of football, emphasizing the safety and well-being of all involved. As Aston Villa’s complaint reaches UEFA, attention turns to potential repercussions and steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
