Supporters of Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano were involved in violent clashes in Leipzig on the eve of their Conference League final, with German police reporting that officers were attacked by both sets of fans.
Footage shared on social media shows a group of men wearing black t-shirts charging at Palace supporters outside an Irish bar called Dhillons, with chairs and punches exchanged before riot police intervened. Leipzig Police said around 300 Rayo Vallecano fans considered to be at high risk of hooliganism were gathered in the city centre when sudden clashes broke out with English fans seated at outdoor terraces.
“Bottles, beer glasses, and pub furniture were thrown with physical clashes between fans,” a police statement said. Officers separated the groups, but some individuals involved were not detained and a second clash occurred when around 60 known troublemakers from Crystal Palace advanced towards the Penguin Ice Bar, provoking Spanish fans and being surrounded by federal police.
Approximately 320 fans were forced to provide identity details and many were ordered to leave the area. Two people were arrested, and two police officers suffered minor injuries during the operation, which ended at 3.15am. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said German officers had explained the fans were held over an alleged breach of the peace, constituting a criminal offence under German law.
Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday evening in their first ever European final. A victory would cap a remarkable 12 months for the club, who have already won the FA Cup and Community Shield, while manager Oliver Glasner takes charge of his final game with the added incentive of Europa League qualification.
