Eight Legia Warsaw fans have pleaded guilty to violent disorder following clashes outside Villa Park before a Europa Conference League match against Aston Villa in November 2023. The trouble occurred on November 30, 2023, ahead of the match, which Villa won 2-1. West Midlands Police barred Polish supporters from entering the stadium, and a number of officers were injured.
Guilty pleas entered at Birmingham Crown Court
On Wednesday, July 1, at Birmingham Crown Court, the following defendants formally admitted violent disorder: Marchin Staniec, 32; Doran Urbaniak, 42; Bartlomiej Szmytke, 23; Grezegosz Grabon, 52; Jaroslaw Gredka, 50; Adrian Mitura, 35; and Karol Talkowski, 35. Mariusz Palka, 42, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of affray, which was accepted by the prosecution.
Legal discussions on sentencing
Legal discussions took place before the pleas, with lawyers for some defendants asking whether their clients could receive a suspended jail sentence if they admitted the offence. Judge Dean Kershaw indicated how close they might come to the three-year threshold but could not say more to avoid tying the hands of the sentencing judge. Another issue raised was whether probation requirements could be met by defendants who reside in Poland.
Match played with empty away end
The match was played in front of an empty away end after police barred Legia fans from entering. The disorder was not disputed, but the main issue in the case was whether the specific defendants were involved in the scenes. Sentencing was adjourned until December 21 at Birmingham Crown Court, and all defendants were allowed to remain on bail.
