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Arrests and fans ordered to leave after clashes before Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano final

There were arrests and fans ordered to leave after clashes a day before the Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano Conference League final.

A number of videos have surfaced on social media overnight, and now Saxon State Police have issued a statement on the situation.

Saxon State Police said via their website: “In Leipzig’s city center yesterday evening around 8:15 p.m., fans of Rayo Vallecano and Crystal Palace verbally and physically clashed. Police separated the two groups, checked the identities of over 300 people, and issued dispersal orders.

“As reported in press release 172|26 on May 20, 2026, the Leipzig Police Department, supported by the riot police, has been deployed since Whit Monday to secure the Conference League Final, which is being played this evening at the RB Arena between Crystal Palace (England) and Rayo Vallecano (Spain).

“Yesterday, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, around 8:00 p.m., approximately 300 Rayo Vallecano fans, considered at-risk, were gathered in the city center. Near the outdoor seating area of โ€‹โ€‹”Leo’s Brasserie,” a sudden clash broke out between English fans who were gathered at the outdoor seating areas of both “Leo’s Brasserie” and “Dhillons.” Bottles, beer glasses, and pub furniture were thrown at each other, and physical altercations ensued. Police officers immediately intervened and separated the two groups of fans. During this intervention, officers were attacked by both groups, primarily through the throwing of objects.

“The police action quickly proved effective, and the situation calmed down. However, it was not possible to immediately apprehend all the fans involved in the clash. A group of Crystal Palace fans, known for their high-risk behaviour, advanced towards the Penguin Ice Bar. This group of approximately 60 individuals provoked passing Spanish fans and were subsequently surrounded by federal police.
Due to the disturbances, an investigation has been launched on suspicion of breach of the peace. So-called processing lines were set up to search all identified troublemakers and now suspects, establish their identities, and process them for identification purposes. All were also issued with orders to leave the premises. Two people were arrested. The operation concluded this morning at approximately 3:15 a.m. Ultimately, over 320 fans were involved in the police operation.

“Two officers, one from the Federal Police and one from the State Police, sustained minor injuries during the operation but remained fit for duty.

“The fan fest in the market area remained peaceful throughout. At its peak, approximately 2,000 visitors from both sets of fans were present in and around the event area. Police remained on site until after midnight, assisting with any issues that arose with the English and Spanish police officers. For example, around 300 people refused to leave a restaurant in the market area after it closed. English police officers addressed the crowd, and the situation was quickly calmed down.”

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