Soccer-Anger in Poland after Legia Warsaw players arrested in Netherlands

Dutch police have detained two players from the Polish soccer team Legia Warsaw after their Europa Conference League match against AZ Alkmaar, causing outrage in Poland.

The Dutch police arrested a 28-year-old man from Serbia and a 33-year-old man from Portugal after Thursday’s 1-0 victory for AZ Alkmaar, and the players are still in custody.

According to Polish media, the players in question are Radovan Pankov and Josue. They were taken off the team coach and brought to a police station, as shown in TVP footage of Josue being led away in handcuffs.

TVP also reported that Legia president Dariusz Mioduski was assaulted by the police, and several Legia staff members were struck with batons.

Dutch police spokespersons could not be reached immediately for comment, but a statement is expected to be released on Friday.

Tempers flared after the match when the Legia bus had difficulties leaving the stadium, according to TVP.

According to RMF FM, a Polish private broadcaster, Dutch police indicated that the arrests were made due to “harassment,” but further details were not provided. Dutch prosecutors are now handling the case.

Prior to the match, Legia Warsaw fans attacked the local police force, assaulting an officer wearing riot gear as they forcibly entered the stadium, according to a police statement.

The incident has caused a stir at the highest levels in Poland, with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki taking to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to announce urgent diplomatic actions to investigate the events.

“Polish players and fans must be treated in accordance with the law. There is no consent to breaking it,” Morawiecki stated.

Legia Warsaw spokesperson Bartosz Zaslawski stated that the team will return to Poland without Josue and Pankov.

“As far as we know, they are at the police station,” Zaslawski said. “Our representatives, including the club’s lawyer, are with them. We are waiting for the police to take action.”

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Bart Meijer; Editing by Gareth Jones)