Watch as Legia Warsaw's Champions League return is marred by ultras using pepper spray on security guards
Legia lost 6-0 to Dortmund after a 20-year absence from the competition
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Legia Warsaw waited 20 years for their return to the Champions League group stages but it turned into a night the club would rather forget.
Violence erupted in the first half of the 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund at the Polish Army Stadium in Warsaw as a group of Balaclava-wearing ultras attempted to get into the visitors’ section.
The small group of Legia supporters, while attempting to get through the part of the stadium used to segregate the fans, proceeded to spray the security guards and stewards with pepper spray.
The atmosphere at the stadium was intimidating from the offset with 28,000 fans bouncing and carrying a banner with the words ‘Guess Who’s Back?’, referring to their exile from Europe’s premier competition.
However, the mood changed drastically through a combination of what happened both on the pitch and in the stands.
In a statement, Legia Warsaw said: “In connection to the incidents which took place during the UEFA Champions League match between Legia Warsaw and Borussia Dortmund, we state as follows:
“1. The media reports suggesting that Legia fans supposedly shouted 'Jude Jude BVB' are not true. It has been determined that the fans shouted 'Nutte Nutte BVB'. This is a chant offensive to Borussia Dortmund and their fans, sung by fans of other German teams. It does not, however, have any anti-Semitic or racist context.
“Nevertheless, we truly apologise to German and Polish fans of Borussia Dortmund who felt offended.
“2. As to all the people who disrupted public order in the West Stand and in the away fans sector, strict consequences are going to be drawn against them.”
Dortmund were 3-0 up inside 17 minutes through Mario Gotze, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Marc Bartra before the violence in the stands kicked off.
The Bundesliga runners-up added three more goals in the second half through Raphael Guerreiro, Gonzalo Castro and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayang to complete the rout.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments