April 30 – Horrific pictures of a Polish fan emerging unhurt after being doused in flames has been picked on up social media around the world and has heaped more concern on a country that has struggled to eradicate spectator violence.
The supposed Zaglebie Lubin supporter was attending a key relegation game against Slask Wroclaw and had climbed on top of a gate with a flare when a steward approached him and appeared to douse him with either tear gas or pepper spray.
As a result the fan briefly went up in flames. Remarkably, according to reports, he emerged relatively unscathed and scurried back into the away end.
Although many countries ban flares, in the Polish league they are virtually de rigueur. Lubin fans remained in their seats following their side’s 1-0 loss but security guards decided the fan in question had gone too far.
Had the incident occurred when the stands were full, it could have been far more serious. The spray was ignited by the flare and engulfed the fan in a human fireball that could have resulted in tragedy if it had not extinguished itself as quick as it did.
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