Police Officer Struck by Flare during Confrontation with Legia Warsaw Supporters at Aston Villa

Aston Villa fans described a chaotic scene before their European match against Legia Warsaw. Clashes between police and away fans resulted in four officers and police dogs being injured, with one officer suffering a concussion after being struck by a flare. The police faced sustained violence for the duration of the game, and home fans reported that missiles were thrown into the stadium from outside as the police tried to prevent Legia Warsaw fans from entering. The injured officer also inhaled smoke from a flare caught on her uniform. A total of 46 individuals were taken into custody. Police had prior intelligence that Legia Warsaw fans were planning to cause trouble. Aston Villa supporters recounted witnessing scenes of violence and expressed their fear. The police force called the incidents unprecedented and disgusting. Several police dogs sustained cuts to their paws from broken glass, and two police horses were injured after being punched. A West Mercia officer suffered concussion and smoke inhalation. The force dedicated its full attention to the security operation, but sporadic violence proved difficult to prevent. Forty-one people were detained for violent disorder, four for possession of a weapon, and four for assaulting emergency workers. Phil Strickley, a fan in Villa's Holte End, reported that fans outside the stadium were hurling bottles, even picking them up from a nearby burger van. Villa's Europa Conference League match proceeded as planned, with Legia Warsaw fans barred from entering for safety reasons. Some managed to get inside but were swiftly removed. A Birmingham councillor who attended the game expressed his concern for his eight-year-old son's safety. In addition to the injured officers, ten individuals outside the stadium received treatment for minor injuries. The disorder is believed to have originated due to tensions arising from a reduced ticket allocation for visiting fans. An expert on football crowd policing described it as one of the most serious instances of disorder he has witnessed in a UEFA competition. UEFA condemned the violence and stated that it is reviewing official reports before determining the appropriate actions to take. This incident follows a similar one last month during Legia Warsaw's match against AZ Alkmaar in which Dutch police officers were injured. Aston Villa emerged victorious from the match with a 2-1 scoreline.