Clashes between Chelsea and Real Betis fans erupted in Wroclaw ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final, prompting Polish authorities to take swift action to curb the violence. Social media footage captured scenes of fans throwing chairs and engaging in violent confrontations on Tuesday evening.
As tensions rose, further clashes unfolded on Wednesday, resulting in multiple arrests. Police responded by deploying water cannons and stun grenades to disperse the crowds, and a heavy police presence was maintained around Chelsea fans celebrating in the city’s main square.
Authorities confirmed that 28 individuals, including several foreigners, were arrested after violent incidents on Wednesday. Police spokesperson Lukasz Dutkowiak stated, “There was an escalation of negative behaviour on the part of both teams that came to Wroclaw for today’s match.”
Escalating Violence Leads to Arrests and Dispersal Efforts
Earlier in the day, authorities had identified several suspects involved in violent incidents, including a Spanish fan arrested following a scuffle on Tuesday night. Additionally, three other Spaniards were detained early Wednesday after removing UEFA flags. Police have vowed to track down all individuals responsible for the disturbances.
Poland has faced similar violence surrounding major football events, with a recent Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also marred by clashes in Bilbao. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned the violence, writing on social media, “Zero tolerance for violence on our streets! I thank the police for their decisive actions against the hooligans in Chelsea and Betis shirts in Wroclaw. We warn you: if necessary, the police will be even more ruthless today!”
A Festive Atmosphere Despite Violence
Despite the violent incidents, fans of both teams continued to pour into Wroclaw, determined not to let the clashes overshadow the occasion. Chelsea, the two-time Champions League winners, were in high spirits after securing a top-four finish in the Premier League, guaranteeing their place in next season’s Champions League.
Real Betis supporters, meanwhile, were reveling in the excitement of reaching their first-ever European final, eager to make history and outshine their local rivals, Sevilla.
In the face of the unrest, many fans remained undeterred. “There is always someone bad in a crowd of 50,000 people,” said Juan, a Betis supporter in Wroclaw’s Old Town square. “We’re loving every second of this. We’re going to celebrate afterward, and we hope Chelsea fans will cry.” Another Betis fan, Maria, added, “We’re not scared, we’re very happy. Most of us just want to enjoy the football and the match.”
With the match set to kick off at 9 p.m. local time, the situation remained tense, but many fans expressed their desire to enjoy the game and put the violence behind them.
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