Disgraceful Scenes at Europa Conference League Tie

The chief of football policing in the UK, Mark Roberts, has called for Legia Warsaw to be banned from Europe and barred from attending any games in England. This comes after the shocking scenes that unfolded during Thursday's Europa Conference League tie between Legia Warsaw and Aston Villa. Roberts expressed his concern over the injuries sustained by dozens of officers during clashes with Legia Warsaw fans, and warned that safety certificates could be withdrawn and stadium bans imposed if Legia is drawn against an English club again.

Appalling Record and Safety Concerns

Roberts highlighted Legia Warsaw's poor record in Europe this year, including clashes with Dutch police that resulted in injuries to four West Midlands officers, one of whom suffered burns. He stated that the police and public safety should take precedence over the needs of the competition, and called for Legia to be thrown out of the tournament. Roberts also revealed that the club's fans could face a national stadium ban in the future, as the Safety Advisory Group could refuse to grant safety certificates for matches involving Legia Warsaw.

Blame Laid on Legia Warsaw

Roberts placed the blame for the pre-match violence on Legia Warsaw for their mishandling of ticket distribution. He acknowledged the club's dissatisfaction with the reduction in ticket allocation but deemed it a justified decision in light of the subsequent events. Roberts also mentioned the possibility of preventing away fans from attending matches against Legia Warsaw and urged the Safety Advisory Group to consider excluding away fans altogether.

Evidence of Legia Ultras' Carnage

Our reporter discovered evidence of the scale of the chaos caused by Legia Warsaw fans outside Villa Park. Empty boxes that previously contained flares were found, indicating the use of pyrotechnics. Additionally, Legia fans attempted to break free from the area they were confined to by police, coming close to breaking down a fence. British border authorities also confiscated gum shields and Mixed Martial Arts boxing mitts from some fans, suggesting a preparedness for violence.