Seven men have admitted to violent disorder following a violent clash with police outside Villa Park after a match between Legia Warsaw and Aston Villa on November 30, 2023. The disorder, which lasted around 30 minutes, involved Legia Warsaw fans armed with poles, branches, and drainpipes, and saw police officers injured, including one burned by a flare caught in his uniform.
Police and Public Response
Around 300 officers attended the incident to keep the public safe. Verbal abuse was shouted at officers from West Midlands and West Mercia Police. Aston Villa fans were not involved and were praised for helping control the situation. In the wake of new footage, one person labelled the men as 'big babies fighting over football teams.' Another questioned how football hooliganism differs from gang wars, with a respondent noting that most matchgoers have no intention of being caught up in such violence.
Details of the Violence
A West Midlands Police spokesperson stated: 'Legia Warsaw supporters tried to take hold of officers’ batons and punched and kicked out at them, as the violence continued for around 30 minutes. One officer was knocked out when he was hit with missiles, another suffered an injury to his mouth, while PC Forbes was taken to hospital with burns.' Two police dogs suffered paw injuries from broken glass, and a police horse was cut by a thrown bottle. More than 40 people were arrested, and 700 hours of body-worn camera footage were reviewed.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Birmingham Crown Court, seven men pleaded guilty to violent disorder, while an eighth admitted affray. Sentencing will take place in December. The seven men are: Jaroslaw Gredka, 50, of Leicester, who pushed a gate at police and carried a pole; Gregorsz Grabon, 52, of Bridgwater, Somerset, who pushed a gate at officers; Adrian Mitura, 35, of Warsaw, Poland, who kicked the gate; Karol Talkowski, 35, who threw an item at police; Marchin Staniec, 32, of Poland, who threw items and brandished a branch; Bartlomiej Szmytke, 23, of Poland, who pushed a bin at officers; and Doran Urbaniak, 42, of Leicester, who threatened officers and threw an item. Mariusz Palka, 42, of Bristol, admitted affray for gesturing at officers.
