Four police officers sustain injuries amidst ‘appalling incidents’ during Aston Villa match

 

Four police officers sustained injuries, and 39 individuals were apprehended amidst what authorities described as “disgusting and highly perilous occurrences” preceding the Aston Villa versus Legia Warsaw match.

West Midlands Police confirmed that supporters of the Polish team were barred from entering the stadium following an incident where projectiles were hurled at officers ahead of the Europa Conference League fixture on Thursday night.

Andy Street, the mayor of West Midlands, has urged European football governing bodies to implement robust measures while expressing gratitude towards the “courageous officers.” He condemned the “deeply unpleasant incidents” that unfolded outside Villa Park in Birmingham.

Deeply unpleasant scenes outside Villa Park tonight, which were dealt with absolutely appropriately by West Midlands Police.

A huge thank you to the brave officers who put themselves in harms way to keep others safe.

I trust UEFA will now move swiftly to take strong action.

— Andy Street (@andy4wm) November 30, 2023

Violence Erupts Outside Villa Park as Fans Clash: Aston Villa Secures 2-1 Win Amidst Turmoil

An unsettling incident unfolded outside Villa Park as disorder escalated, leading to objects being hurled at law enforcement officers. As the chaos ensued, visiting fans were contained in a coach park while Aston Villa emerged victorious with a 2-1 win.

Formerly expressing his dismay on social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), Mr. Street condemned the distressing scenes outside Villa Park. He commended the West Midlands Police for their swift and appropriate handling of the situation, expressing gratitude towards the officers for their bravery in ensuring public safety.

Mr. Street called upon UEFA to promptly take decisive action in response to the incident.

In a statement, the police confirmed that one officer sustained injuries requiring hospitalization, with two police horses and two police dogs also harmed during what they described as ‘disgusting and highly dangerous scenes’.

Chief Inspector Tim Robinson expressed regret that what should have been an evening of enjoyment for fans from both clubs turned sour. He highlighted the appalling behavior that involved away fans recklessly throwing flares and other objects at law enforcement officers.

Describing the violence as ‘extreme’, Chief Inspector Robinson defended the decision to prevent away fans from entering the stadium, emphasizing that the safety of everyone present was their primary concern and that there were no alternative options.