In an unfolding incident in European football, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki resorting to diplomatic measures following the arrest of two Legia Warsaw players in the Netherlands. Radovan Pankov and Josue Pesqueira were arrested by Dutch police amid altercations with security officers after their Europa Conference League defeat against AZ Alkmaar.
Having been held by Dutch law enforcement, both Pankov and Pesqueira were subsequently detained in the Netherlands, sparking an international incident. The prime minister stated, “Urgent diplomatic action is being taken to verify the events, ensuring Polish players and fans are treated pursuant to the law.”
This unsettling situation was escalated as the Legia president, Dariusz Mioduski was physically assaulted while mediating. Sensationally, the police would not allow the team’s bus to leave the stadium, detaining the Portuguese midfielder and Serbian defender. In a blow to the sport, a 28-year-old Serbian and a 33-year-old Portuguese man were detained by Dutch police on charges of mishandling.
The players were released and returned to Poland on Friday afternoon. Still, they remain under investigation, signalling the beginnings of an international football controversy. Consequently, UEFA, the governing body for European football, has launched an investigation into the incident.
On the matter, Mioduski decried, “This is an absolute scandal”, before stating the unique global precedent the arrests have set. In a display of violence, riot police were deployed after Legia fans entered the premises without a ticket check or validation.
After declaring the area around Alkmaar station and the stadium a safety risk, police conducted preventative searches of Legia fans due to the fear of possession of fireworks. The town Mayor and Police Chief are unwavering in their intolerance of violence, with an investigation aiming to find the perpetrators of these disturbances.
With both teams sharing a group stage with Aston Villa, the Premier League team is prepped to travel to AZ Alkmaar for a game on 26th October and will return on the 9th of November. Legia Warsaw is set to face off against Villa on 30th November.
Earlier this year, AZ Alkmaar was fined 80,000 euros by UEFA due to fan’s behaviour during a match against West Ham in May. This incident brought added stress for the Premier League team players, who found themselves intervening to protect their families and friends situated in the areas attacked by AZ fans.
The episode has stirred significant controversy, not only in the football community but also in Poland’s political circles. With a right-wing populist government seeking a third consecutive term in elections, this incident has drawn the attention of the public, heightening grievances against the alleged injustice towards Legia Warsaw, Poland’s 15-time champions. With an average of 21,000 spectators at home matches, the highest attendance in the Polish top-tier Ekstraklasa, the situation is under the intense gaze from fans across the nation.
