By Jaroslaw Adamowski
February 14 – After being hit by several heavy fines for its fans’ behaviour at home and away matches last year, Legia Warsaw has announced plans to organise the first legal fireworks display at its stadium. Legia’s management aims to overcome the fireworks ban which has led to sanctions and subsequent financial losses for numerous Polish football clubs.
In December 2013, Legia played a league home match against Ruch Chorzow in an empty stadium after local authorities and the police ruled that the risk of fans setting off fireworks during the match was too high.
Despite the club’s security measures, Legia’s supporters had been able to bring pyrotechnics into their stadium on numerous occasions throughout the season.
“We will try to organise a legal fireworks display at the stadium,” Boguslaw Lesnodorski, chief executive and co-owner of Legia Warsaw, told local broadcaster Orange Sport. Under the plan, the display will be held at Legia’s stadium during one of the forthcoming spring matches.
The move is part of the club’s strategy to smoothen relations with Legia’s fan base and avoid further financial losses from costly fines imposed on Legia as a result of its supporters letting off illegal fireworks at matches.
Earlier this year, Lesnodorski and his business partner Dariusz Mioduski acquired Legia from ITI Group. Mioduski acquired a 80% stake in the club, and Lesnodorski holds a 20% stake in Legia.
The club’s Pepsi Arena has a capacity of 31,103. Legia won Poland’s 2013 Championship and the 2013 Cup of Poland.
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