'It was very hard to take control of it' — Slask Wroclaw chairman apologises for behaviour of some visiting fans
The chairman and general manager of Slask Wroclaw, Poitr Wasniewski, has apologised to the city of Dundee for the trouble caused by some fans of the Polish football team before and after Thursday night's Europa League qualifier with Dundee United.
Passing Slask Wroclaw fans light flares right beside a dad and his young child in the Murraygate. Below: a photo posted on The Courier's Facebook page by Jamie Robertson 'to prove not all the Slask fans were out to cause trouble.'
- By Alan Wilson
- Published in the Courier : 23.07.11
- Published online : 23.07.11 @ 07.02am
But he insisted that the sheer number of fans who came to the game unannounced — many of them from the large Polish community across the UK — meant it was almost impossible to police the gathering of around 2000.
The official said he had seen some trouble in town before the game, but was not aware of reports of any late-night fighting.
"The alcohol was the biggest reason," said Mr Wasniewski. "From what I have seen, many of them weren't really fans of Wroclaw. They have come from all over Britain to meet friends and many of them couldn't wait for the game and drank much too much.
"Absolutely, I want to apologise for anyone who makes any kind of trouble in Dundee. People who came with the organised group from the club were under control — but there were so many people without our knowledge who were buying tickets in Dundee and it was very hard to take control of it."
But he said he had also been a victim of the Poles' bad reputation after he was refused service in a city centre restaurant — long before any trouble had begun.
"We come and support my team and we come to have a good time," Mr Wasniewski added. "Some have been travelling for 37 hours to come to the game and support the team. There were a group of irresponsible people that caused damage and spoilt the image of the real supporters of our team.
"People are coming not to support the team but to make problems and trouble and to fight against other supporters."
In one of a number of potentially violent flashpoints in the lead-up to the game, hundreds of Polish fans — many hooded, with scarves pulled across their faces — broke police lines and charged down a city centre street.
Pockets of Slask fans had been in the town all afternoon and chanting and singing could be heard from groups congregated outside a number of bars.
But the atmosphere turned nasty as a stand-off developed between locals and Polish fans. The incident quickly intensified and police officers rushed in to prevent any trouble.
However, fans in green and black hoodies and some wearing outfits from other Polish teams, including Lechia Gdansk and Wisla Krakow, with their hoods up and faces covered, rushed the officers' lines before charging down Reform Street. Shops closed their doors and kept their staff inside, while members of the public scattered.
Police reinforcements, wearing heavy protective gear, arrived quickly at the scene and the hordes of Polish fans receded. Then, led by a loudhailer, hundreds began their march to the game, singing and chanting as they went. Fans walked a dozen abreast down the High Street and the Murraygate, sending pedestrians with pushchairs scuttling for cover and leaving flares and fireworks scattered behind them.
A huge boom echoed out as a banger went off outside the Wellgate Centre, before fans began to climb King Street on their way to the match.
During the afternoon officers were seen to remove alcohol from a number of supporters, pouring it away. But many others continued to drink in the streets as police adopted a policy of containment.
Most pubs in Dundee city centre shut for a period before the game and closed their doors early on Thursday night, while Fat Sams and Liquid nightclubs' management decided not to open at all, after advice from Tayside Police.
Most city centre establishments remained unscathed after the match and Chief Inspector Dave Barclay said that side of operations had been a success.
"We had to try and keep the Slask fans in certain areas and restrict where they were going," he said. "I know there had been some challenges for nightclub staff the first night."
Another side to the Polish fans' behaviour came from Athole Steele, manager of the Arctic Bar.
He said, "We had about 60 of them before the match and about 25 to 30 of them came back after the match. They were up doing the karaoke and singing happy birthday to one of my customers.
"They were no bother whatsoever — which just shows there's two sides to every story."
08.44am - 23.07.2011 Innes - Glasgow, Scotland Report This
Not for the first time in this country, the Police have been shown to be completely unprepared. The Met has been found out at big demonstrations in London, and Tayside's, ahem, finest found wanting on Thursday. Had this happened here there would be calls for heads to roll. But this is Dundee.
11.44am - 23.07.2011 Cory Douglas Campbell - Stobswell, Dundee Report This
My young children and I were out with the Slask fans and the boys gave my children Slask stickers. 2 of my kids had their Dundee United scarves on and several Slask supporter wanted to trade but my son, who plays in the J league, said"NO WAY" This brought a huge laugh from the 80+ fans. THANKS SLASK
01.01pm - 23.07.2011 Terry Scott - Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom Report This
Not his fault but Polish football clubs have already had sanctions made against them from not being able to support away in their own country and playing closed door games because of their hooligan element. Polish football needs to get it's house in order for the European Championships next year.
01.37pm - 23.07.2011 Terry Scott - Stobswell, Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
I really fear sorry for the local and that child caught up in the middle of that due to their open drinking throughout the day illegally allowed by our own law enforcers. Just one of many incidents where local non-football fans felt intimidated and threatened.
07.58pm - 23.07.2011 Paul Kinnear - Dundee, Scotland Report This
It is always unfortunate when a few troublemakers spoil it for the true fans of the sport. Plus it also tarnishes reputations of the country and teams involved.
09.51am - 25.07.2011 Joe Soap - Dundee, Scotland Report This
It wasn't a few but an appreciable minority. A similar tone was seen over there too. I met some decent Slask fans home & away, but many were prepared to behave aggressively. The entourage of other Polish teams fans exaccerbated things, a known part of their game - so responsibility reamains Slask's.
12.53pm - 25.07.2011 Terry Scott - Stobswell, Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
@ Cory Campbell how come the sister paper of the Courier is reporting today of a Girl, 16 being attacked by Slask fans. so much for your firendly support once again I think you need to stop burying your head in the sand when it comes to the Polish supporters vast majority of troublemakers
07.52pm - 25.07.2011 Davie - Dundee, Scotland Report This
The deafening silence from our politicians is breathtaking. Have the SNP councillors or MSP's got nothing to say on this matter, or is it better to stay quiet so as not to upset Polish voters?
11.17pm - 25.07.2011 Robert - Wroclaw, Poland, Poland Report This
To The Courier : Slask Wroclaw chairman's name is Piotr ( Peter ) W. It is just like everywhere else...it's football. The good and a couple of punks. Just do not forget the English distroying the continent in the 80's and 90's when you write a story. It should be or fun, but some are punks.
12.39pm - 26.07.2011 Terry Scott - Stobswell, Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
Robert while there are some good Slask fans I've seen many try to defend the violence as if it is acceptable like back in the 70's and 80's. We have grown up in this country hooligan wise but from comments I've seen around the internet on Polish fans it is like they are living in a time warp.
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