Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

Legia Warsaw to take fewer fans to Dortmund after Madrid violence

Legia Warsaw are set to significantly reduce the number of fans at their Champions League away match at Borussia Dortmund on Nov. 22, the club have announced following clashes with Spanish police prior to the 5-1 defeat against Real Madrid on Tuesday.

The Group F fixture between Real and Legia had already been deemed "high risk" by Spanish authorities concerned about the Polish team's radical supporters even though security presence was strengthened in Madrid.

Two police officers and five Polish fans were treated for injuries after violence broke out as an organised group of fans threw bottles outside the stadium perimeters. Spain's national police later confirmed 12 arrests were made on the night.

On Wednesday, Legia announced that the club will change the ticket allocation for their away match at Dortmund on Nov. 22. "We believe that there is again a risk riots could break out if a similar number of fans travel to Dortmund," Legia spokesperson Seweryn Dmowski told reporters at Warsaw's Chopin airport. "We will ask for a significantly reduced number of tickets and check every ticket buyer individually."

The new measures also mean that the tickets will no longer be allocated by the Legia Warsaw Fans Association but directly by the club.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke told Der Westen on Wednesday, before the Polish club's final announcement, that he was open to the idea: "As far as I am informed a ban is planned, but nothing has been decided yet. I would not have anything against it."

Following racist behaviour and crowd disturbances including stewards being pepper-sprayed during Legia's 6-0 home defeat to Dortmund in September, UEFA ordered a full stadium closure for their next home game -- against Madrid in Warsaw on Nov. 2.

Legia feared the new incidents could lead to an exclusion from Champions League. However, UEFA informed ESPN FC on Thursday that the riots were not mentioned in the official reports.

"Any incidents taking place outside the perimeter of the stadium are not under UEFA's jurisdiction," a UEFA spokesperson told ESPN FC.

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