Two people have been arrested and approximately 60 Crystal Palace supporters have been ordered to leave Leipzig after clashes between fans of the two sides ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League final. Police intervened following violent scenes in the German city, with the group of Palace followers understood to have been designated as known troublemakers by authorities before the trouble began.
Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday evening in what is a landmark occasion for both clubs. For Palace, it represents the most significant European night in the club's history. For the Madrid-based La Liga side, it is an equally rare appearance on a continental final stage. The backdrop to the fixture has been clouded, however, by the disorder that preceded it.
The decision to expel a substantial number of supporters ahead of kick-off is a significant policing measure, reflecting the seriousness with which local authorities have treated the incidents. Riot police were deployed as part of the response, and the operation will draw scrutiny from UEFA as well as from the respective clubs, both of whom will be aware that crowd disorder at a final carries potential disciplinary consequences.
Leipzig, which has hosted major UEFA fixtures before, has experience managing large travelling supporter groups, but the convergence of two passionate fanbases for a high-stakes final always demands considerable resource. The expulsion of dozens of supporters before the match suggests the situation escalated beyond what routine stewarding could contain.
Attention will now shift to the fixture itself and whether the atmosphere inside the stadium can be kept orderly. Both clubs will hope the evening is remembered for what happens on the pitch. The authorities, for their part, will be monitoring closely to ensure the scenes in the city earlier in the day are not repeated once the two sides meet.