Aston Villa fans will face an increased security presence in the Netherlands on Thursday after the remarkable incidents that marred AZ Alkmaar’s tie against Legia Warsaw earlier this month and the trouble that flared when West Ham visited in May.
Two Legia players were arrested after Alkmaar’s 1-0 win on October 6 when they were involved in altercations with supporters. Earlier, riot police had been deployed before kick-off when a group of Legia fans stormed an entrance gate, which Dutch police said had left one officer unconscious.
AZ were fined nearly £70,000 by UEFA in July over the behaviour of their supporters during their Europa Conference League semi-final, second leg against West Ham in May. AZ fans attacked an area in which West Ham players’ friends and family were seated, with players — and fan Chris Knoll — subsequently trying to intervene to protect them.
While Villa supporters are unlikely to be treated in the same fashion as Legia fans, who have a poor reputation across Europe, Dutch authorities are set to be on red alert ahead of the Europa Conference League fixture.
After the Legia encounter, Alkmaar mayor Anja Schouten said: ‘Supporters who use excessive and unacceptable violence against police and stewards are not welcome in our city.’ In the build-up to that game, police had declared the area around Alkmaar station and the stadium a safety risk.
While Villa supporters are unlikely to be treated in the same fashion as Legia fans, who have a poor reputation across Europe, Dutch authorities are set to be on red alert ahead of the Europa Conference League fixture.
After the Legia encounter, Alkmaar mayor Anja Schouten said: ‘Supporters who use excessive and unacceptable violence against police and stewards are not welcome in our city.’ In the build-up to that game, police had declared the area around Alkmaar station and the stadium a safety risk.
