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Fans injured as build-up to Poland's clash with Russia is marred by violent clashes in Warsaw
By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED:17:23, 12 June 2012 | UPDATED:19:46, 12 June 2012
Seven people have been hurt and 56 arrested in serious disturbances prior to the start of the Euro 2012 clash between Poland and Russia in Warsaw on Tuesday night, police in the city have confirmed.
Trouble flared despite an unprecedented security operation in the Polish capital, with a number of separate incidents reported in the build-up to the match at the National Stadium.
A Warsaw police spokesperson said: 'The police have arrested 56 people who are from both Poland and Russia, and seven people are being treated by doctors.
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On the march: Approximately 5,000 Russia fans make their way to Warsaw's National Stadium
On the charge: Polish police forces sprint into action
Scuffle: Polish fans clash with their Russian counterparts outside the National Stadium
This is going to hurt: A fan gets ready to feel the force of the Policja
'We are still monitoring the situation and trying to identify the supporters involved. The operation is not over from our side as we continue in our attempts to catch those who are causing trouble.'
The extent of the injuries are not yet known, although some eyewitness reports suggested at least one of those involved in a brawl between fans could be in a serious condition.
Thousands of Russian fans marched towards the National Stadium to mark Russia Day, considered a provocative gesture by some Poles whose nation was subjected to decades of rule by Moscow during the Cold War.
The trouble started when several thousand Russians had begun to cross the Vistula river towards the stadium, flanked by riot police, but the atmosphere soured as groups of rival fans began to provoke each other.
Street violence: A Russian and Polish fan hit each other during the violence
In full force: Russian fans are escorted by Polish riot police in Warsaw
Running riot: Unruly Polish fans carry road blockades as they clash with police in Warsaw
Several people were seen lying injured and bleeding on the ground, with one of them appearing to be seriously hurt.
Most of the Russians marching appeared unaware of the trouble. About 5,000 Russian fans marched to the National Stadium to show their support for their national team before it confronts Poland in a European Championship match later Tuesday.
Television footage showed groups of 10-15 men fighting and police helicopters hovering overhead.
Clash: Polish and Russian fans kick each other
Taking action: Police try and re-gain control as violence breaks out
Taking charge: Police arrest fans in Warsaw prior to the Euro 2012
Street fighting: Fans clash on Russia Day
Around 20,000 Russian fans were expected in Warsaw at a time when relations between the Poles and their eastern neighbour have been strained by a plane crash in Russia two years ago that killed Poland's president and 95 others.
Both sets of fans were also seen fighting and throwing stones outside the stadium.
There were a number of other incidents as well, which came as Russia fans waving their country's flag marched to the stadium in a show of patriotism seen as provocative to many Poles.
All out attack: Fans attack in Warsaw
Apprehended: But were restrained by police soon afterwards
All out war: Polish and Russian fans clash in the streets
Led away: Polish riot police detain a fan
It was considered a huge security challenge for police.
In one case, Russia fans clashed with police on a bridge near the National Stadium and police were later seen making arrests.
In another, a group of clearly drunken Polish men began fighting among themselves, hitting and kicking each other. Two were on the ground bleeding and police intervened, throwing two more to the ground. The men were holding cans of beer and mumbling and one appeared to be unconscious.
Prepared: Polish police were ready for a large number of Russia fans marching through Warsaw
Peaceful: Russian supporters wave the flag of the former Soviet Union prior to the Group A game with Poland
Poland and Russia share a difficult history, including decades of Moscow's control over Poland during the Cold War. Many Poles felt the Polish authorities should not have allowed the Russians to march as a group in Warsaw given the historical wounds.
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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/eur...#ixzz1xbwM6YW3
By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED:17:23, 12 June 2012 | UPDATED:19:46, 12 June 2012
Seven people have been hurt and 56 arrested in serious disturbances prior to the start of the Euro 2012 clash between Poland and Russia in Warsaw on Tuesday night, police in the city have confirmed.
Trouble flared despite an unprecedented security operation in the Polish capital, with a number of separate incidents reported in the build-up to the match at the National Stadium.
A Warsaw police spokesperson said: 'The police have arrested 56 people who are from both Poland and Russia, and seven people are being treated by doctors.
Scroll down for video
On the march: Approximately 5,000 Russia fans make their way to Warsaw's National StadiumOn the charge: Polish police forces sprint into actionScuffle: Polish fans clash with their Russian counterparts outside the National StadiumThis is going to hurt: A fan gets ready to feel the force of the Policja'We are still monitoring the situation and trying to identify the supporters involved. The operation is not over from our side as we continue in our attempts to catch those who are causing trouble.'
The extent of the injuries are not yet known, although some eyewitness reports suggested at least one of those involved in a brawl between fans could be in a serious condition.
Thousands of Russian fans marched towards the National Stadium to mark Russia Day, considered a provocative gesture by some Poles whose nation was subjected to decades of rule by Moscow during the Cold War.
The trouble started when several thousand Russians had begun to cross the Vistula river towards the stadium, flanked by riot police, but the atmosphere soured as groups of rival fans began to provoke each other.
Street violence: A Russian and Polish fan hit each other during the violenceIn full force: Russian fans are escorted by Polish riot police in WarsawRunning riot: Unruly Polish fans carry road blockades as they clash with police in WarsawSeveral people were seen lying injured and bleeding on the ground, with one of them appearing to be seriously hurt.
Most of the Russians marching appeared unaware of the trouble. About 5,000 Russian fans marched to the National Stadium to show their support for their national team before it confronts Poland in a European Championship match later Tuesday.
Television footage showed groups of 10-15 men fighting and police helicopters hovering overhead.
Clash: Polish and Russian fans kick each otherTaking action: Police try and re-gain control as violence breaks out Taking charge: Police arrest fans in Warsaw prior to the Euro 2012 Street fighting: Fans clash on Russia DayAround 20,000 Russian fans were expected in Warsaw at a time when relations between the Poles and their eastern neighbour have been strained by a plane crash in Russia two years ago that killed Poland's president and 95 others.
Both sets of fans were also seen fighting and throwing stones outside the stadium.
There were a number of other incidents as well, which came as Russia fans waving their country's flag marched to the stadium in a show of patriotism seen as provocative to many Poles.
All out attack: Fans attack in WarsawApprehended: But were restrained by police soon afterwardsAll out war: Polish and Russian fans clash in the streetsLed away: Polish riot police detain a fanIt was considered a huge security challenge for police.
In one case, Russia fans clashed with police on a bridge near the National Stadium and police were later seen making arrests.
In another, a group of clearly drunken Polish men began fighting among themselves, hitting and kicking each other. Two were on the ground bleeding and police intervened, throwing two more to the ground. The men were holding cans of beer and mumbling and one appeared to be unconscious.
Prepared: Polish police were ready for a large number of Russia fans marching through Warsaw
Peaceful: Russian supporters wave the flag of the former Soviet Union prior to the Group A game with Poland Poland and Russia share a difficult history, including decades of Moscow's control over Poland during the Cold War. Many Poles felt the Polish authorities should not have allowed the Russians to march as a group in Warsaw given the historical wounds.
More...
- Warsaw alert over invasion of Russians ahead of Poland clash
- EURO 2012 LIVE: Poland v Russia - follow the action from Warsaw as it happens
- Advocaat: Four-star Russia need to be sharper despite easy win in opener
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/eur...#ixzz1xbwM6YW3