Clashes seen in Wroclaw ahead of Europa Conference League final
©Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd
Today at 11:15
Chelsea fans in the Polish city of Wroclaw have clashed with local police and supporters of Real Betis ahead of the Conference League final on Wednesday night.
Images from the city centre show police officers using tear gas on groups of Chelsea fans, who are hoping to see their team become the first side to win all of Uefa’s major competitions.
Footage on social media also shows Chelsea and Betis supporters clashing in the streets, with police intervening as opposing fans throw glasses and chairs at each other on Tuesday evening.
Police were quickly able to cordon off the two groups of fighting fans in the city, which is hosting tens of thousands of supporters this week.
“The uniformed officers reacted immediately after the incident, which prevented further escalation of the conflict and negative behaviour,” said senior constable Lukasz Dutkowiak from the police headquarters in Wroclaw.
“The fans scattered in different directions and the activities aimed at identifying them are still underway, conducted by the police officers of the criminal division.”
Chelsea fans light up flares ahead of the Europa Conference League final in Wroclaw, Poland. (AP Photo/ Czarek Sokolowski)
Chelsea fans light up flares ahead of the Europa Conference League final in Wroclaw, Poland. (AP Photo/ Czarek Sokolowski)
On Wednesday morning, the Gazeta Wroclawska reported that the city’s market square “looks like a battlefield” and that the cleaning efforts began at 4.30am.
Four Spanish supporters were detained on Tuesday, following checks of CCTV footage, while police are still searching for nine other people who were involved in brawls.
A group of Spanish men were also detained in the early hours of the morning after they were caught removing the official Uefa Conference League final flags from a pole.
Police in Wroclaw have continued to assure local residents that they have sufficient resources to deal with any further issues before and after the final on Wednesday night.
The Gazeta Wroclawska wrote on Wednesday morning: “Their [the Chelsea and Betis supporters] visit will be remembered by Wroclaw restaurateurs. Some of them have been cleaning their pubs since 4.30am and there is no end in sight. The market square looks like a battlefield.
“The company’s employees who keep the Market Square clean say that cleaning has been going on since early morning. The new shift started work before 6am. The situation is worst on the northern frontage. There, they are still collecting piles of smashed bottles and paper pizza wrappers.”