da pinup bet： Three officers were injured as Legia Warsaw fans clashed with the police before their Europa Conference League fixture against Aston Villa.
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Violent scenes at Villa Park Warsaw fans injure three police officersAway fans barred from entering stadium WHAT HAPPENED?
Violence broke out in the vicinity of the Villa Park stadium as Warsaw fans threw objects at on-duty West Midlands officers while they were being held at the coach park near the ground in Birmingham. They were furious as their allocated tickets were reduced to 1010 from 1700 after they clashed with the Dutch police in Alkmaar in October. Hence there were almost a thousand ticketless fans who traveled for the game and attempted to force their entry into the match.
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The police cracked down on the violent fans with iron hands and in the process three of them were injured. They even sent out a warning to locals to stay away from the area as flares were hurled from several directions towards the police. The entire brigade of away fans was barred from entering the stadium, as has been confirmed by Villa, and stewards even plucked out a few Warsaw fans from the home stand and escorted them outside the gates.
WHAT WEST MIDLANDS POLICE AND ASTON VILLA SAID
A statement put out by WMP, read: "We're currently unable to allow away fans into Villa Park following disorder outside the stadium, which has seen missiles thrown at officers. Three officers have already been injured and a significant police operation continues. Please avoid Witton Lane where possible."
Villa added: "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 following large-scale disorder outside the stadium caused by visiting supporters."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Warsaw informed that their official delegation, owner and president have not entered the stadium to show solidarity with the fans.
"Due to the actions taken by Aston Villa FC as the host club, Legia Warszawa informs that its official delegation, management board and the club's owner and president Dariusz Mioduski will not be present at the hosts' stadium during the next UEFA Europa Conference League match," a statement read.
Despite the disturbing scenes outside the ground, Villa emerged triumphant over the visitors by a 2-1 margin, thanks to goals from Moussa Diaby and Alex Moreno, to move to the top of Group E with 12 points from five matches.