Eight men have pleaded guilty to their involvement in what police described as some of the worst football violence seen in decades, after Legia Warsaw hooligans set a police officer on fire, injured two police dogs and a horse, and threw missiles at officers outside Villa Park in Birmingham in November 2023.
Officer engulfed in flames
Newly-released video footage shows the moment PC Andy Forbes was engulfed in flames after a flare thrown by hooligans became lodged in his police jacket. He suffered burns and was taken to hospital. The attack occurred in the car park reserved for away coaches along Witton Lane.
During the Europa Conference League clash, approximately 300 officers faced 90 minutes of sustained violence as Polish hooligans armed with poles, drainpipes, bricks, bottles, and burning flares launched a barrage of missiles. One officer was knocked out after being hit, another suffered a mouth injury, two police dogs sustained paw injuries, and a police horse was cut by a thrown bottle.
Eight men plead guilty
At Birmingham Crown Court last week, eight men were due to stand trial, but seven pleaded guilty to violent disorder and one admitted affray. They will be sentenced in December.
The seven who admitted violent disorder are: Jaroslaw Gredka, 50, of Leicester; Gregorsz Grabon, 52, of Bridgwater, Somerset; Adrian Mitura, 35, of Warsaw; Karol Talkowski, 35; Marchin Staniec, 32, of Poland; Bartlomiej Szmytke, 23, of Poland; and Doran Urbaniak, 42, of Leicester. Mariusz Palka, 42, of Bristol, admitted affray.
Police condemn worst violence in decades
Detective Inspector Tom Lyons of West Midlands Police said: “This was horrific violence from the so-called fans of Legia Warsaw, who threw missiles at officers, attacked them and hurled abuse at them. We had 300 officers, including dog handlers and mounted officers, from a range of forces across the country who were there to keep the peace and ensure fans could enjoy a memorable night of European football. Sadly it descended into some of the worst violence UK football has seen in decades. But despite this, the officers on the night displayed bravery and skillful teamwork to deliver a safe operation and protect the public. They showed real courage throughout.”
More than 40 people were arrested, and 700 hours of body-worn camera footage were reviewed. The investigation continues.
