The Conference League final in Germany commenced amid significant unrest, overshadowed by a violent incident involving football fans. Just before the match was set to begin, chaos erupted in Leipzig, where supporters of Spain’s Rayo Vallecano clashed with fans from England’s Crystal Palace.
According to Saxony police, the confrontation appeared to be a coordinated effort. Approximately 300 Rayo Vallecano ultras, clad in black, launched an organized attack on Crystal Palace supporters who were enjoying a peaceful afternoon in street cafés located in the historic city center.
The altercation escalated as makeshift weapons were employed, including beer mugs, glass bottles, tables, and chairs from local restaurants’ summer terraces. The scale of the violence compelled authorities to rapidly deploy riot police in an attempt to restore order and control the situation.
The final match is scheduled to kick off today, May 27, at 21:00 Central European Time.