Ambulance crews treat 14 people for injuries after violent disorder outside Villa Park
Ambulance crews treated 14 people for injuries after disorder erupted outside Villa Park last night. Missiles, including flares, were thrown in what police said were ‘disgusting and highly dangerous scenes.’ West Midlands Ambulance Service[1] said the incidents happened before, during and after the UEFA Europa Conference League match between Aston Villa and Legia Warsaw yesterday, Thursday, November 30.
Three ambulances, three paramedic officers and two rapid response vehicles were deployed, along with a specialist equipment vehicle. Ten patients were treated and discharged by ambulance staff for minor injuries, including cuts and bruising outside the ground. Four police officers were also assessed and treated – with one taken to hospital as a precaution.
It follows West Midlands Police arresting 39 people on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a police officer. Chief Inspector and match commander Tim Robinson, from West Midlands Police[3], said: “This should have been a great evening of football which was enjoyed by fans from both clubs. Unfortunately, there were appalling scenes which saw away fans dangerously throw flares and other missiles at our officers.
“We were there to help keep people safe, yet officers own safety was put at risk because of the deplorable actions of others. Due to the extreme violence, there was no other choice but to prevent away fans entering the stadium. The safety of everyone is our priority, and clearly we had no other option.
There can never be a place for such appalling behaviour, and this is something ourselves and the wider community should never have to experience.” In a statement, Villa said: “Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that no away fans were allowed into Villa Park for this evening’s UEFA Europa Conference League fixture with Legia Warsaw on the advice of West Midlands Police[4] following large-scale disorder outside the stadium caused by visiting supporters.
Police officers with dogs as flares are set off outside the stadium before the UEFA Europa Conference League Group E match at Villa Park, Birmingham
“The UK safety authorities, UEFA and Aston Villa, communicated on November 2 that the ticket allocation for away fans for this fixture would be reduced to 1,002 on the advice of safety authorities as a result of previous large-scale disorder caused by Legia fans last month at AZ Alkmaar. “A number of Dutch police officers were injured during that disorder.
As a consequence, UEFA banned Legia supporters from travelling to Mostar for their game against HSK Zrinjski. “In spite of numerous requests for cooperation from Legia Warsaw concerning their travelling supporters, especially in the last two days, no assistance on the serious safety matter of away fans attending Villa Park was forthcoming from the visiting club. The club has repeatedly, including this morning, raised concerns in conjunction with UEFA and all the relevant authorities to Legia that ticketless away supporters were attempting to attend Villa Park.
“Approximately an hour before kick-off, Legia fans engaged in planned and systematic violent acts against West Midlands Police officers and a decision was then made by West Midlands Police to exclude all Legia supporters.
“Aston Villa strongly condemns the behaviour of those visiting supporters and would like to thank West Midlands Police for their professionalism in very difficult circumstances.”
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References
- ^ West Midlands Ambulance Service (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ 39 arrests outside Villa Park after ‘disgusting and highly dangerous scenes’ (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham News (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Email Updates (www.birminghammail.co.uk)