Legia Warsaw’s Josue and Radovan Pankov were apprehended by Dutch authorities following their Europa Conference League match, which ended in a 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar. The defeat was marred by chaos that unfolded after the game.
AZ Alkmaar secured victory with a lone goal from Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis at the AFAS Stadion. However, the post-match events took a turbulent turn. Videos shared on social media depicted an altercation between Dariusz Mioduski, Legia’s president and vice chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), and Dutch law enforcement officers as he tried to board the Warsaw team bus following their loss. Mioduski appeared to be struck in the face by police officers wielding riot shields and batons.
The exact reasons for the Dutch authorities’ actions remain unclear. In addition to Mioduski’s involvement in the chaos, two Legia players, midfielder Josue and defender Radovan Pankov, both notable figures in Warsaw’s recent Conference League victory over Aston Villa, were arrested by the police and led away in handcuffs.
The Legia duo were taken to a police station in Alkmaar and remained there as the Polish team returned from the Netherlands on Friday morning.
Jaroslaw Jankowski, a member of Legia’s management board, decried the police and security’s behavior towards the players and the team’s president, citing an unprecedented level of aggression and rudeness. He shared footage of the alleged attack on Mioduski by the police on social media.
According to reports from Poland, the chaotic scenes transpired after press conferences held by Legia and Alkmaar. In response to the events, Legia issued a statement indicating that they will address the “scandalous events” in a press conference to be conducted by President Dariusz Mioduski at the stadium at 2:00 p.m. Legia urged the media not to approach the team upon their return to Chopin airport.