By Jaroslaw Adamowski
September 17 – Poland’s top tier Ekstraklasa has launched an investigation into racist incidents which targeted refugees at several matches played in September at Polish stadiums, and decided to punish several clubs.
The move was made following home matches played by Legia Warsaw and Lech Poznan at which some supporters displayed racist banners and chanted anti-refugee slogans. The incidents were later repeated by supporters of a number of other Ekstraklasa clubs.
As a result of the investigation, Legia, Lech, as well as top tier sides Lechia Gdansk, Slask Wroclaw, Pogon Szczecin and Jagiellonia Bialystok were sanctioned. Legia and Lechia are to pay PLN 10,000 (€2,400) each. In addition, in case of a repetition of racist incidents, Lech, Legia and Pogon be punished by the closing of their Ultras sector for one match. The clubs’ supporters could also be forbidden from traveling to away matches.
“Ekstraklasa emphasises that any racist, degrading or violent manifestations will not be tolerated at football stadiums,” the league said in a statement.
“For us, it is obvious and simple, we don’t want refugees in Poland,” stated a banner displayed by a group of supporters of Lech Poznan at a recent home match against Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala. Also group of Legia’s supporters displayed a number of anti-immigrant and anti-refugee banners at a recent match against Zaglebie Lubin.
Seweryn Dmowski, communications director at Legia Warsaw, said that the club is “condemnig such behaviour, but we do not foresee individual penalties” for supporters.
“We believe that this problem can be solved through a dialogue [with our supporters],” Dmowski told local news site Sport.pl.
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