Police in Poland detain 184 after violence during Euro 2012 soccer tournament
June 13, 2012
WARSAW, Poland — Police in Poland have detained 184 people after tensions spiraled into violence as soccer fans gathered for a Euro 2012 game in Warsaw, police said Wednesday.
Clashes broke out in the Polish capital Tuesday ahead of the Poland-Russia game, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Interior Minister Jacek Cichocki told reporters that more arrests could follow.
“Police officers continue to watch recordings from CCTV and police cameras to identify other hooligans who disturbed public order,” he said.
More than 5,600 police were on duty Tuesday in Warsaw, he said.
European football’s governing body, UEFA , condemned what it called “isolated incidents” before and after the game in Warsaw “when some groups of known troublemakers pelted the police with missiles and attacked fans irrespective of the team they were supporting.”
The body said its focus was to ensure genuine football fans were able to enjoy the games peacefully, while isolating the handful who wanted to cause trouble.
“UEFA is determined that the overwhelmingly peaceful and festive atmosphere that has so far pervaded at UEFA EURO 2012 will be continued right up to and including the final in Kyiv on Sunday 1 July,” it said in a statement Wednesday.
Russian fans had organized a march through Warsaw before the match Tuesday evening to mark Russia’s June 12 national day.
The disorder broke out as about 5,000 Russian fans reached Warsaw’s Poniatowski Bridge, on their way to the National Stadium, the Interior Ministry said in a statement, with “hooligans” from both sides seeking to start a fight.
“As the crowd entered the Poniatowski Bridge, approximately a hundred pseudo football fans of the two opposing teams have attempted to confront each other,” the statement said.
Riot police took “decisive” action to stop the violence from escalating, it said.
“The operation was conducted by officers from police prevention units and criminal police who detained the most aggressive hooligans,” it said. Ten police officers were injured in the violence and received medical treatment, it added.
The 184 suspects detained include more than 150 Poles, more than 20 Russians, a Hungarian, a Spaniard and a citizen of Algeria, the statement said. Some of those arrested had dangerous objects with them, including brass knuckles and clubs, as well as mouth guards.
Those responsible for violence can expect swift justice, the Interior Ministry statement said.
“The hooligans will be sentenced by the end of the week. In the case of foreigners involved in the incidents, speeded-up penal proceedings will be instituted,” it said.
Those from outside the European Union’s Schengen passport-free area will be deported and will receive a ban on entry to the European Union, the statement said. Their visas will also be withdrawn.
Russian state-run broadcaster RT reported that police fired warning shots and used water cannons and tear gas as they sought to break up the clashes.
Cichocki said Tuesday’s violence was the biggest public order challenge so far of the tournament — which Poland is co-hosting with Ukraine — but he praised police efforts.
In the course of the day, about 150,000 fans visited the Warsaw “fan zone,” an area away from the stadium where games are shown on big screens for those without tickets, the Interior Ministry said.
Tens of thousands more fans watched the Greece-Czech Republic game, played in Wroclaw, from the city’s stadium and fan zone, it said.
Altogether, more than a million supporters have flocked to stadiums and fan zones in Poland since Euro 2012 kicked off Friday, it said.
The vast majority of football fans in Ukraine and Poland have supported their sides peacefully.
However, Russian officials had already called for better behavior from the country’s supporters after unrest during Friday’s opening 4-1 win against the Czech Republic team.
“Those who choose the sports arena for the declaration of their personal political and other positions have no place in the stands,” read a statement on the Russian Football Union’s website Monday.
“The Russian Football Union and the national team of Russia kindly request all the fans of these provocative actions to confront bullies and to cooperate fully with the organizers of the match in matters of security.
“We appeal to all fans who are in Poland. Remember that you represent your country. Respect yourself, your home and your team.”
— CNN’s Claudia Rebaza, Laura Smith-Spark, Stephanie Halasz and Pedro Pinto contributed to this report.