A police officer got kicked down the stairs by Legia Warsaw fans at Leicester during the Europa League meeting between the two sides.
A number of arrests were made with stewards, security and police staff members injured as trouble flared during Thursday night’s match at the King Power Stadium.
It was an emphatic Europa League win for the Foxes, however it was tainted as violence broke out from the away end.
🚨 | NEW: A policeman gets kicked down the stairs at the Leicester gamepic.twitter.com/8T0O1cfoEN
— News For All (@NewsForAllUK) November 25, 2021
Flares could be seen in the stands, creating a smokescreen in the stands which drifted onto the pitch, something is a rare sight in English football unlike elsewhere across Europe.
While TV commentators initially praised the atmosphere created by travelling fans, footage was then shared on social media with scuffles breaking out with things turning nasty.
There was a strong presence of police on horseback outside the ground to help keep the situation to a minimal after the game, and it’s now confirmed that a number of officers were injured.
Leicester Police Events tweeted: “A number of arrests have been made of away supporters during the evening, some officers have been injured. Thanks to you LCFC fans for your support, further updates will follow in the coming days.”
Leicestershire Police has been contacted for further details.
Leicester City vs Legia Warszawa
25/11/21🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/fZ3u4veWW0— ULTRAS (@fotos_ultras) November 26, 2021
Brendan Rodgers’ side were leading the match 3-1 before half time but it wasn’t until the second half that chaos erupted.
Large banners were unfurled from appeared to look like the back of the stadium, down towards the front of the stands, over the heads of thousands of Legia fans.
Leicester fans were heard in video footage chanting the city’s name in retaliation while police lined the length of the banners.
One fan who was at the match said: “The visiting fans unfolded a giant banner that suspiciously wasn’t moved for many minutes, there were hundreds of men under cover.
“Suddenly it dropped and 20 to 30 flares were lit and the atmosphere changed as smoke billowed around the stadium. Away fans then began pulling at the sheets that separated them from the home fans.
“Baton wielding police were battling with the sea of fans before riot police arrived. All eyes in the ground were on it – as the result was already beyond doubt.
“Police dealt with it well, but it was unnerving to witness, though it was no fault of LCFC or their fans.”
It is likely that Legia Warsaw could see some financial punishment from UEFA as a result of the conflict.
Leicester City saw off Legia Warsaw to go to the top of Group C and put themselves in pole position to reach the Europa League knockout stage with one game left.
They began the day bottom of the group and had the job done by the break, leading 3-1 after an open and entertaining first half with Patson Daka and James Maddison put the hosts in charge before Filip Mladenovic responded after Kasper Schmeichel saved Mahir Emreli’s penalty.
Wilfred Ndidi then headed in from a corner to boost the home side’s advantage before a goalless second half.
Leicester lead the group on eight points, one above Spartak Moscow and Napoli after the Russian side won their fixture 2-1 on Wednesday.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers: “We’re at the top, in a great position and they (Napoli) will need to win and we need to get a result.
“Going into the last game, if we had said that before we kicked off, we would have taken that.
“You see the quality in the group, like Spartak beating Napoli and all the teams having good results but we are in control where we finish. Our objective at the beginning was to qualify so that’s all in our hands.”
Legia caretaker manager Marek Golebiewski: “It was very difficult from the beginning, for the first goal we were still in the dressing room.
“We had a penalty and thanks to that we managed to make our loss a little bit smaller.
“We made a mistake for 3-1 and it was too difficult to score another two goals.
“If you play for Legia this is where you’re heart should be. The players know where they are and who they are playing for.”
— Football For All (@FootballlForAll) November 25, 2021
Twitter users reacted after seeing the scenes, with one police officer kicked down the stairs by Legia Warsaw fans at Leicester…
@DavidMackayyy: Why are all of them just stood there? Climb over and help.. jesus christ
@DixonCider_69: If the away fans used an incorrect pronoun the police would be over there in a flash.
@Jord_Avfc: Police would be straight in if that was England fans
@Colutdmark: @UEFAcom I take it @LegiaWarsawEN fans will be banned for an away uefa match? Just like @WestHam fans are banned from going to Rapid Vienna
— Craig (@craiglcfc) November 25, 2021
Legia Warsaw fans pic.twitter.com/m5qoEfFSas
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) November 25, 2021
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