Crystal Palace: Hooligans Are Not Welcome in Leipzig

What was supposed to be a celebration of international football turned into chaos in the streets of Leipzig ahead of the UEFA Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.

Violence, flying bottles, beer glasses, broken furniture and street fights — exactly the kind of scenes football fans and residents never want to see in their city.

Around 300 supporters of Rayo Vallecano reportedly encountered Crystal Palace fans in Leipzig’s city center on Tuesday evening. What followed had little to do with football and everything to do with senseless hooligan behavior. According to police, both groups attacked each other verbally and physically while officers trying to separate the groups were also targeted with thrown objects.

Later, another group of so-called “risk fans” from Crystal Palace reportedly continued provoking Spanish supporters before being surrounded by federal police.

This must be said clearly and without excuses:

Leipzig does not need this.
Leipzig does not want this.
Hooligans are not welcome here.

Football should unite people, create atmosphere and bring fans together from different countries. Instead, a small minority once again used a major sporting event as an excuse for violence, destruction and intimidation.

Whether they come from England, Spain or anywhere else makes absolutely no difference.

Hooligans go home.

The overwhelming majority of fans travel peacefully, support their clubs and enjoy the occasion responsibly. But those who arrive looking for fights instead of football should not expect sympathy from local residents or authorities.

Leipzig is a city that welcomes guests, football culture and international events. But anyone who believes our streets are a playground for drunken violence and mob behavior has clearly misunderstood the situation.

Sport belongs in the stadium.
Violence does not belong in Leipzig.