In a statement shared on the X platform, Paweł Jabłoński, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, cited receiving reliable and troubling information about discriminatory actions by Dutch services against Polish citizens. He said the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Alkmaar for a meeting the following day.
There is no Polish government authorization for discrimination against its people. Those responsible must be held accountable, he stressed, and the government will seek accountability through proper channels. The deputy minister called for cooperation with the competent Dutch authorities to address the matter promptly.
The situation has drawn urgent diplomatic attention as officials from Poland work to verify the events and ensure the safety and fair treatment of Polish nationals abroad.
Two Legia Warszawa players detained by Dutch authorities
Two players from Legia Warszawa, Josue from Portugal and Radovan Pankov from Serbia, were taken off a team bus by Dutch police after the Conference League match against AZ Alkmaar, which ended 0:1. They were escorted to a police station amid reports of stadium clashes and concerns over the physical well-being of several Polish team members.
Witnesses described a tense scene as local police and security forces attempted to close the stadium, allegedly to prevent a confrontation with organized groups of Legia supporters preparing to enter or leave. Legia officials, including the players, reportedly had limited access to the bus, and verbal exchanges and scuffles occurred. Police eventually cordoned off the vehicle, which already contained a significant portion of the squad.
According to coverage on TVP Sport, officers reacted with hostility toward reporters, and there were claims of aggression and injuries among players. Some players were questioned about their communications during the incident, adding to the strain of the situation. At one point, authorities threatened to storm the bus unless the players complied with orders, and the club’s owner and chairman, Dariusz Mioduski, was involved and briefly pulled by an officer during the event.
The players were accompanied by coach Kosta Runjaic and team manager Konrad Paśniewski, among others, during the demanding aftermath of the incident.
Observers characterized the police and security conduct as shocking and unacceptable, describing it as an unprecedented level of aggression toward football personnel and the club’s leadership. The incident was marked by physical confrontations and a sense of insecurity among Legia’s staff and players, prompting discussions about the safety of Poles traveling in foreign venues.
On social media, Jarosław Jankowski, a club activist and head of the supervisory board of the basketball department, condemned the events, calling them an extraordinary breach of conduct. The situation sparked a broader dialogue about security and discipline in cross-border football matches and the treatment of visiting teams and their officials.
The incident was widely covered in Polish media as a case raising questions about police procedures and crowd control in high-tension sports settings, with ongoing coverage of government responses and potential diplomatic follow-up.
Further reporting highlighted statements from Polish leadership and public commentary on the Netherlands’ handling of the event, as officials sought assurances that the situation would be resolved swiftly and justly. The broader sentiment emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights and safety of Polish citizens abroad, alongside clear accountability for any misconduct by authorities.
Source: wPolityce [citation]