More than 40 charged, mostly Poles, after clashes at Conference League game

2/12/2023 18:13

        British police said on Saturday 46 men have been charged after "serious disorder outside" Villa Park on Thursday in the build up to a Europa Conference League soccer game in which authorities said three officers were injured.
        
        West Midland's Police said in a statement, "Of those, 43 have been charged with a public order offence, while two have been charged with assaulting police officers and another has been charged with possession of a knife."
        
        The unrest occurred ahead of kickoff in a game between Aston Villa and Legia Warsaw.
        
        West Midland's Police said, "Those charged are aged between and 21 and 63, and around 40 are believed to be from Poland. A small number are believed to be UK residents."
        
        Police said all apart from one of the men were due in court on Saturday and a special court had been set up at Birmingham magistrates court to begin hearing the cases this morning.