UEFA 'strongly condemn' Legia Warsaw fans after 'unacceptably violent' clashes with West Midlands police ahead of their game with Aston Villa... as they reveal they are investigating the trouble

Legia Warsaw fans have been condemned by European football chiefs after a night of violence blighted their Europa Conference League meeting with Aston Villa. 

West Midlands Police said there were ‘46 people in custody following last night's violence involving away fans’ and that officers had experienced ’90 minutes of sustained violence’ that left four injured.

A UEFA statement read: ‘UEFA strongly condemns the unacceptable violence which occurred around the Aston Villa v Legia Warsaw match. UEFA is in the process of gathering all official reports from the game before deciding on potential next steps.’

Legia officials were upset with Villa for reducing their supporters’ ticket allocation to about 1,000. Villa responded that the decision had been taken ‘on the advice of safety authorities as a result of previous large-scale disorder caused by Legia fans last month at AZ Alkmaar.’

Villa’s statement continued: ‘No away fans were allowed into Villa Park on the advice of West Midlands Police. Approximately an hour before kick-off, Legia fans engaged in planned and systemic violent acts against West Midlands Police officers.

‘In spite of numerous requests for co-operation from Legia Warsaw concerning their travelling supporters, especially in the last two days, no assistance on the serious safety matter of away fans attending Villa Park was forthcoming from the visiting club.’

Legia owner Dariusz Mioduski and the club’s board decided not to attend the game due to the dispute over the allocation, remaining instead at the team hotel in central Birmingham.

Chief executive Marcin Herra told Mail Sport: ‘The behaviour of the home team's representatives before today's match led to an unnecessary escalation of negative emotions.

‘In our work and relations with other clubs, we are always guided by professionalism and respect. We expect the same from the other side.’

UEFA are now pondering possible punishments. While they do not have the power to punish clubs for incidents in a city centre, European football’s governing body can act if these take place inside the stadium or very nearby.

Liverpool were fined £17,600 for the attack on the Manchester City team bus as it made its way to Anfield before a Champions League quarter-final in April 2018.

On Thursday evening, several Legia fans had forced their way in to Villa Park after West Midlands Police posted on social media that they were not letting any Legia fans inside the stadium.

The force tweeted: ‘We're currently unable to allow away fans into Villa Park following disorder outside the stadium which has seen missiles thrown at officers.

'Three officers have already been injured & a significant policing operation continues. Please avoid Witton Lane where possible.'

West Midlands Police then released a further statement shortly before midnight.

'We've so far made 39 arrests on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and assaulting a police officer and they have been taken into custody for questioning. We will further review all available footage to identify perpetrators.'

The match commander, Chief Inspector Tim Robinson, added: 'This should have been a great evening of football which was enjoyed by fans from both clubs.

'Unfortunately, there were appalling scenes which saw away fans dangerously throw flares and other missiles at our officers.

'We were there to help keep people safe, yet officers own safety was put at risk because of the deplorable actions of others.

'Due to the extreme violence, there was no other choice but to prevent away fans entering the stadium. The safety of everyone is our priority, and clearly we had no other option.

'There can never be a place for such appalling behaviour, and this is something ourselves and the wider community should never have to experience.'

After the game, Legia manager Kosta Runjaic refused to be drawn on the events that occurred outside Villa Park.

'I think it's a different topic, it's not my business. I've been in a big focus to lead the team,' he said.

'We represented Polish football in a good way, all other things outside the stadium I don't want to comment.

'We have great fans, they support us home and away. We can always count on them. So far since I've been at Legia I've had a good experience with our fans. I don't know the content of it all happening.

'I don't know the details, which is why it's better I don't speak too much about it. Unfortunately our fans weren't in the stadium and the atmosphere would have been better.

'It's not about the fans, it's a pity but we can't change it.'

The violence in the West Midlands comes after Legia supporters were involved in similar troubles at a previous Europa Conference League away game at AZ Alkmaar.

Large-scale disorder was caused with a number of Dutch police injured. Meanwhile, two Legia players were arrested after the 1-0 win when they were involved in altercations with supporters. 

Riot police had been deployed before kick-off when a group of Legia fans stormed an entrance gate, which Dutch police said had left one officer unconscious.

This led to UEFA banning Legia supporters from travelling to Mostar for their game against Bosnian side HSK Zrinjski.