Aston Villa Europa group stage match ended chaotically, Legia Warsaw player was arrested
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Legia Warsaw’s 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League ends in chaos
Chaos ensued after Legia Warsaw’s 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, when two players f
rom the Polish club were arrested by Dutch police.
Josue and Radovan Pankov were handcuffed before being taken to Alkmaar regional police station on suspicion of assault in connection with Thursday’s match. It is understood the duo were still there on Friday morning when Legia returned home.
Legia president and European Club Association vice-president Dariusz Mioduski was apparently assaulted by local authorities while trying to board the team bus after the match. Footage shows police officers, armed with riot shields and batons, hitting Mioduski in the face, injuring him, although their motive for their actions is unclear.
Reports from Poland claim that trouble broke out following both team’s post-match press conferences, as Legia’s players made their way onto the bus. It remains unknown why the police detained Josue and Panko
Legia board member Jaroslaw Jankowski shared Mioduski’s video on social media and posted:
“Disgraceful behavior by the police and security towards the players and the Legia president, an unprecedented level of aggression and rudeness.
“An absolute scandal. The physical integrity of a number of players and staff was also violated by both security and police. An unprecedented situation.”
Villa play Alkmaar at the AFAS stadium in three weeks’ time as all four clubs in Group E are locked on three points. Unai Emery’s side beat Zrinjski Mostar 1-0 at home thanks to a 94th minute winning goal from John McGinn at Villa Park on Thursday.
