Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 7y

Police presence strengthened for Real Madrid vs. Legia Warsaw at Bernabeu

A strengthened security presence of 2,000 officers will be in place for the game between Real Madrid and Legia Warsaw at the Santiago Bernabeu due to concerns about the possibility of trouble involving visiting ultra supporters.

Tuesday's Champions League Group F fixture has been deemed "high risk" by the authorities in the Spanish capital after previous incidents involving Legia's more radical followers -- including violence inside the stands during their 6-0 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund in September.

The Madrid government's coordinating authority has issued a statement outlining the extra measures being taken and officers deployed around the Bernabeu for the game.

"Around 2,000 officers will be deployed so that the game can take place just as usual, and the security inside the stadium will be reinforced inside and outside the stadium," the statement read.

"Taking part in this will be the Brigada Movil, Caballeria [Mounted Police], Unidades de Intervencion Policial (UIP), Guias Caninos [Police Dogs] and the Oficina Nacional del Deporte de la Policia Nacional, as well as the Policia Municipal, Samur, Cruz Roja and private security of Real Madrid.

"Besides the usual security measures taken for these type of games, the security presence has been reinforced, taking into account the previous incidents involving ultras from the visiting team. In fact, the return game on Nov. 2 next will be played behind closed doors due to a decision by UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee."

Following racist behaviour and crowd disturbances, including stewards being pepper sprayed, during Legia's loss to Dortmund, UEFA ordered a full stadium closure for the Polish champions' next home game, which is against Madrid in Warsaw on Nov. 2.

News agency EFE has reported that three Polish men in their early 30s were arrested in central Madrid early on Tuesday morning after getting drunk in a bar in the La Latina district and assaulting two waitresses, while also attempting to rob the till and steal a mobile phone.

Legia's 4,000 away allocation for Tuesday's meeting has sold out, with Spanish media reports saying that around 300 suspected hardcore supporters may have official tickets. Polish police have reportedly travelled to Spain to help identify potential troublemakers, while extra searches are planned to stop flares or fireworks being brought into the ground.

Madrid have also attempted to stop any Legia fans from sitting elsewhere in the stadium, with it being difficult to purchase match tickets online using a Polish bank card. However, it has been reported that visiting supporters have found it easy to get around the restrictions.

A heavy police presence is also planned for city centre locations such as Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, where visiting supporters often congregate on the day of games.

Legia were ordered to play two European home matches behind closed doors for racism by their fans following an away match at Belgian club Lokeren in November 2014, while fans displayed a "Jihad Legia" banner before a Europa League game at Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2011. UEFA also sanctioned fans' racist behaviour by closing a section of Legia's stadium at a Champions League playoff in the 2013-14 season.

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