Arrests follow Kiev brawl involving Legia fans
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
20.08.2015 15:15
At least nine people were arrested in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Wednesday night after a brawl broke out in the lead-up to Thursday's Europa League qualifier between Polish team Legia Warszawa and Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk.
Image: youtube.com
According to local media sources, over 50 people were involved in the fight near the Hydropark metro station.
Flares were set off and various objects flew through the air as Poles and Ukrainians clashed.
Many of the brawlers fled when police arrived at the scene.
Owing to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Zorya Luhansk will host the Warsaw team at the stadium of Dynamo Kiev.
Ukrainian sources reported that the Poles clashed with fans of the Kiev club, rather than supporters of the Luhansk side.
Meanwhile, a smaller brawl occurred in Lviv, western Ukraine, involving Polish fans due to travel on to Kiev for the match, according to Lviv's Zaxid.net news portal.
The site reported that about eight Poles and 18 Ukrainians were involved in the incident.
The second leg of the qualifier will be held in Warsaw on 27 August. (nh/rk)