Police investigating the riot which took place ahead of the Aston Villa v Legia Warsaw Europa Conference League match in November 2023 have arrested two more men
Police officers with dogs as flares are set off outside the stadium before the UEFA Europa Conference League Group E match at Villa Park, Birmingham(Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
More arrests have been made in connection with a riot at a Birmingham European match labelled the ‘worst football violence in decades’.
Two men were detained this week in connection with violence ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa Conference match against Legia Warsaw back in November 2023.
West Midlands Police officers working with colleagues at the Met Police attended Chelsea’s match with Legia Warsaw, again in the Conference League on Thursday (April 17) at Stamford Bridge.
There they spotted a 45-year-old and 30-year-old suspected to have been involved in violent disorder back in 2023 at Villa Park and they were arrested.
Read more: CPS issue update after Legia Warsaw violence before Aston Villa match
The 45 year-old has also been arrested under the extradition act as he is wanted by Polish authorities for offences relating to burglary, robbery and drug trafficking which date back up to 20 years.
The two men remain in police custody on Good Friday (April 18) as ‘enquiries continue’.
Detective Inspector Tom Lyons, said: “We worked closely alongside the Met Police to make these arrests and it just goes to show how relentless we are in pursuing suspects.”
A police officer is helped up by their colleagues after being hit by a flare outside Villa Park before the UEFA Europa Conference League Group E match between Aston Villa and Legia Warsaw (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
The trouble outside Villa Park saw West Midlands Police officers and those from 11 other forces face ‘90 minutes of sustained violence’.
Flares, missiles, and debris were used as weapons by fans of the Polish football club police said.
It was described as the ‘worst football violence in decades’ and saw five officers injured.
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More than 40 people were arrested, and some 700 hours of body-worn camera footage has been reviewed as part of the investigation.
Two trials have been set for 2025 and 2026.