City centre closed down to contain Slask Wroclaw fan trouble
Dundee city centre was shut down last night to quell the risk of serious disorder by visiting Polish football fans.
The Slask Wroclaw fans created a lively atmosphere inside Tannadice, but a small minority caused trouble before and after the game.
- By Andrew Argo, Craig McManamon and Alan Wilson
- Published in the Courier : 22.07.11
- Published online : 22.07.11 @ 09.06am
An estimated 2000 Poles were in the city for the Dundee United v Slask Wroclaw Europa League qualifier — the visiting spectators bringing with them a reputation for hooliganism and violence.
The majority journeyed from other parts of Britain but several hundred had come from Poland by bus. Throughout the day reports circulated of trouble breaking out in central Dundee as the Polish fans arrived.
Missiles were hurled at shops and pubs, prompting many of the businesses to close early.
Tickety Boo's in Seagate closed, at a cost of around £2000 in lost revenue — but the landlord said he was prepared to pay that price.
"We closed in the interest of public safety," said the publican, who declined to be named. "There were rumours that they were putting in windows so we thought closing was the best thing to do."
He said they initially admitted the Polish fans in the afternoon but a happy atmosphere soon became unpleasant.
'Threat'
"We were quickly filled to capacity and they were bringing in their own beer and topping up their drinks and they then became threatening and abusive. One boy ran his thumb across his throat after I took his beer off him, and I took this as a threat.
"The police came just in time and moved the group away as our staff tidied away the tables and chairs, and we locked up."
Locals caught in the melee spoke of their intimidation as up 50 police officers — some in riot gear — moved in to contain the outbreaks of unrest.
In an unprecedented security measure, officers then escorted the Poles up to Tannadice — making special efforts to keep them apart from home fans.
At the stadium an emergency segregation plan was mobilised with the Polish fans corralled into the Fair Play Stand for the match.
It was an exciting encounter, with Slask qualifying from the 3-3 tie on away goals despite United's 3-2 win on the night. But there was drama of a different sort after the game with small groups of victorious away fans involved in confrontations on their way back to the city centre.
One pub near Tannadice was reported to have had its windows smashed, with customers having to take cover. Police moved in smartly to prevent the unrest from escalating and marshalled the away fans out of the area.
Tayside officers — backed up by colleagues from Fife and Strathclyde forces — lined the route through the city centre to the station where several hundred Poles boarded a train south.
Hundreds of Slask supporters had travelled all the way from Poland by bus and they gathered in the city centre to await their coaches to begin the long journey home.
They were closely watched by up to 100 police officers who moved quickly to keep them clustered in small groups. The police support unit — officers with special equipment to quell riots — were on stand-by in case of flare-ups.
Before the match police visited all the city centre pubs and off licenses to warn of the potential for trouble if they served alcohol to away fans. The vast majority heeded their advice and closed their doors, not wanting to run the risk of unrest breaking out.
Most pubs and off licenses stayed shut after the game to minimise the risk of disorder.
Chief Inspector Suzie Mertes said of the pubs' shutdown, "We spoke to them and explained what was going on but it was their decision to close. There were problems with small groups of Polish fans but most of them were well behaved."
Speaking just before midnight, she said the police operation was designed to contain the situation and help the Polish fans get on their way out of Dundee.
"Many of the fans came here by bus and the drivers are resting up before beginning their journey back to Poland. We have to wait for them to wake up, which won't be too long now. The buses are down at the station and we will make sure the Polish spectators get on them and travel home."
► In a statement this morning, the police said three Polish men were arrested for minor offences before kick-off.
There was also trouble after full-time, with the force confirming "a small but vociferous number of Polish fans were involved in running skirmishes with the police in the areas around the ground and spreading into the city centre."
They added, "Bottles were being thrown by some of the Polish fans and there was some damage to property."
However, the police said they managed to prevent serious disorder. They also praised home supporters for not getting involved.
The force stressed the trouble had been caused by a small number of the visiting fans who were "fuelled by alcohol and were bent on hooliganism".
09.18am - 22.07.2011 Cory Douglas Campbell - Stobswell, UK Report This
I was in the pub with over 80 Slask supporters and we had our Dundee United colours on. The fans were fantastic, warm and well spoken. Yes a few caused trouble but that is part of football. I take my kids to DU games and my kids hear the most foul swearing in the DU stands. It is the price we pay!
09.26am - 22.07.2011 Reality Check - Dundee, Scotland Report This
I wonder if the Slask fans were "Kettled" like the police do to our students. Kettling always works well as folk just sit down peacefully and mind their manners do they. Sadly every time folk are kettled the area they are kept in ends up looking like a war zone. How does the city look now?
10.06am - 22.07.2011 Colin B - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
I thought standing at Tannadice, and the display of flags, was banned. Stewards and the law are meant to police this. They do so at Scottish games, well as long as it's not the Old Firm. Anyone else see the pattern here? Or is standing and flag display now allowed?
10.21am - 22.07.2011 Debbie - Dundee, UK Report This
Why are these fans allowed to stand? Is there one rule for European football fans and another for Scottish football fans? This flouting of the law shows how the legislation on sectarian chanting will fail - you cannot arrest ever wrongdoer.
10.29am - 22.07.2011 TheArab - Dundee united, Scotland Report This
They barricaded us into the Snug windows were smashed and United fans took a beating outside as well. Absolute animals considering we went across there had a few drinks good time and there was minimal trouble.
11.35am - 22.07.2011 Terry Scott - Stobswell, Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
So much for police in this report not allowing Slask Wroclaw fans to approach the ground from the Arklay Street side because it was happening. Many Slask fan groups were approaching Tannadice from the Clepington Road, Court Street & Dundonald Street areas.
11.38am - 22.07.2011 Terry Scott - Stobswell, Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
Also why were Tayside Police or their support from other forces allowing the Polish supporters to drink openly in the city centre area when there are signs everywhere telling of the penalties of doing so? If that had been locals they would have been arrested and fined.
11.58am - 22.07.2011 Pawel - Glasgow, POLAND Report This
what do you mean?how supposed to look alike? nothing happend i was there and we sat in pub with DU supporters abd drank few pints, no problems WE ARE NOT ANIMALS so grow up mate and treat us as we treat you pal, thank you for you attention
12.06pm - 22.07.2011 Z Stardust - Perth, Scotland Report This
It would have been foolish for police to uphold the law and ground regulations to the letter. It would have made the situation 100 times worse. Be realistic.
12.08pm - 22.07.2011 Colin B - Dundee , Scotland UK Report This
@Terry Inconsistencies all round - drinking in the City Centre, standing at the game, the display of flags, to name but a few. Not Tayside Polis and the Arab stewards' best day. Maybe the SFA will intervene and fine the Arabs.
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