By David Gold
May 4 – Hooligans went on the rampage as UEFA officials looked on after Legia Warsaw defeated Lech Poznan on penalties in the Polish Cup Final, much to the embarrassment of local authorities.
Supporters caused significant damage at the stadium, home of Zawisza Bydgoszcz, with water cannons used by police in the end to disperse the troublemakers.
Seats were torn off, barriers smashed and photographers attacked after the final whistle, in scenes which will raise question marks about Polish preparations for the 2012 European Championships, which it is co-hosting with Ukraine.
A report was published last month which detailed violent incidents across the two countries over the last 18 months, demonstrating the challenges facing the hosts ahead of next year’s competition.
The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Legia triumphing 5-1 on penalties.
Government spokesman Pawel Gras said: “This just cannot take place any longer.
“A strong reaction by the government is sure to happen.”
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Borys Kolesnikov, said last month: “Ukraine is 100 per cent ready with regards to security.
“Look at the 1985 European Cup Final [at Heysel] between Liverpool and Juventus, any country can have reason to be cautious about fans.”
And UEFA President Michel Platini told insideworldfootball in March that it had been a mistake in retrospect to give the tournament to Ukraine, so that this incident occurred in Poland will be particularly alarming to European football’s governing body.
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