In September 2022, seven Poland fans were taken at a tense Nations League game in Cardiff.
Fans of Wales and Poland were warned again about the risks of flares before tonight’s Euro 2024 play-off final in Cardiff.
In September 2022, seven Polish fans were arrested after a tense Nations League match at the 33,000-seat Cardiff City Stadium. Four of them were charged with having an explosive device.
People from Poland lit flares during the national songs before the game and all through it.
A fireworks show was also set off from the away section right after Karol Swiderski scored the game-winning goal in the 57th minute.
The Football Association of Wales and South Wales Police have now teamed up to try to stop crowd trouble.
It’s a big match because the winner gets to go to the finals in Germany this summer.
The FAW said, “There is no safe use of pyrotechnics in the areas where people watch football games. Their use comes with many health risks and dangers, such as losing your sight or having a limb or finger cut off because of their explosive power.”
Anyone caught committing this crime will be banned by FA Wales, will likely be arrested, and will have to serve a minimum 3-year Football Banning Order.
Additionally, if someone is caught using fireworks in public places away from and on the way to the stadium, they can be given section 34 notices and told to leave the area. The FAW, Cardiff City Stadium, and the police will be notified.
“This could mean that you won’t be able to get into the stadium.”
The South Wales Police added their voice to the security problem. Supporters were warned over and over that using fireworks in stadiums is illegal and will lead to punishments.
Superintendent Steve Rees said, “South Wales Police has a lot of experience with police work at major international sporting events that have been held successfully in South Wales for many years. There is a police plan in place for this important game for Wales.”
Being in possession of a pyrotechnic device at a football game or trying to bring one into a football field is illegal. Anyone caught doing this will be arrested and given a Football Banning Order.
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The staff at Cardiff City Stadium is in charge of making sure that fans follow the rules of the stadium. “As always, we would encourage fans going to the game to follow the supporter advice published by the Football Association of Wales.”
If they win, they will play the Netherlands, France, and Austria in Group D at Euro 2024 this summer.
Legia Warsaw played Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League in November, but there was trouble in the crowd. 46 Polish fans were charged after fighting with police.
FIG fined the FAW more than £14,500 because fans at home set off flares during wins over Austria and Ukraine in Cardiff in the 2022 World Cup play-offs.
John Hill died in 1993 when a flare hit him at the old National Stadium in Cardiff during Wales’ World Cup friendly match against Romania.
Men on the other side of the stadium set off a marine distress flare at the end of the game. It went over the field and hit the 67-year-old.
