The Legion of Warsaw played yesterday, July 25, a football game as part of the European Cups, with the Welsh squad Caernarfon Town F.C. The match was held at empty bleachers, and this was due to the punishment that UEFA (Union of European Football Unions) imposed on the Polish club in the past period 2023/2024, for the inappropriate behaviour of pseudo-kibs. The same pseudo-kibs who “produce” to power, controversial match fixtures. The luminaires, which turns out, do not hinder the majority of the "visible", especially those with right-wing views, which are fond of the content and presentation of the presented presentation. The last frame, with a xenophobic theme, took place on 20 July during a league gathering with Zagłębie Lubin and aroused large emotions, sharing fans, journalists and Polish politicians. Should specified political demonstrations be carried out in football stadiums? My answer is definitely no. I'll effort to justify my point of view.
Some facts. Legia Warszawa football club in 2013-2023 paid for inappropriate behaviour of its “beliefs differently” fans about PLN 10 million. penalties. These were penalties for match bindings of offensive content, the usage of prohibited pyrotechnics, and usually for harassing pseudokibs. But it's just the tip of the iceberg. The above-mentioned amount besides includes costs related to the compensation of harm caused during the brawl and, most importantly, financial starts associated with playing matches at empty stands in your stadium. Here, the losses are most likely the hardest, both for the club's authorities and for the footballers themselves, who do not like to play in empty stands. Robert Lewandowski erstwhile asked about the game at an empty tribunal: “You go out on the field, there is no cheering, no shouting. Old habits. There is simply a deficiency of specified an crucial component of the match, there is simply a deficiency of this incredible atmosphere that fans create.” It must be a depressing and sad sight for an athlete.
UEFA and the authorities of our Polish Extraclass close the Legia stadium, as a form of punishment, not only from pseudo-kibs. Unfortunately, there are besides “punished” fans who come to the game, wanting to watch their squad play on the field, not controversial luminaires and brawls in the stands. Losses due to the deficiency of spectators at the stadium at Łazienkowska Street are about PLN 30 million. In total, the sports company Legia Warszawa lost any PLN 40-50 million over the last 10 years. And here, Mr Jan Tomaszewski, the legendary typical goalkeeper of the “golden era” of Kazimierz Górski, notes that for this amount the Legion could buy truly class players. For comparison. The value of the full squad from the basic lineup (36 players) to little than 119 million PLN, and the most costly footballer of the Legion costs little than 12 million PLN. Thus, footballers worth PLN 20-25 million on which the capital club could afford, are already players with very advanced football skills who would importantly strengthen 1 of the most titled Polish teams, which would translate into crucial sports successes.
Someone may say that the amount of losses recorded by the Legia, due to penalties for inappropriate behaviour of fans, is not much for the richest Polish club (the budget for the period 2024/2025 is PLN 180 million). For a squad that has checked in respective times in the European cup group competitions in the last decade. For the promotion to the club's football elite, the profit is about 80-100 million PLN. However, there is something that has no financial value. There's something that matters to the football team. It's an image. The openings of an image of a capital club are already so large that the people moving the club are most likely tearing their hair off their heads. What their anger must be, seeing the inappropriate and irresponsible behaviour of pseudo-kibs. Image losses are little income than advertisers and sponsors. This is besides a major obstacle for average fans who do not identify with pseudo-kids who go to matches in European cities, which are closed not only by shops, pubs or restaurants, but besides by stadium gates. That I will not mention the weight of the glued “patches” of a fan of the most disliked Polish club.
Because if we add the fact that no another Polish club, playing in the Polish league, is as frequently punished financially as the Legion of Warsaw, then the full in terms of strict image looks truly bad. In Europe, let's face it, the squad doesn't have the best opinion. Unfortunately, this cannot be replaced or bought. The rivals of the Legion are forced to organize the competitions, focusing order services in an additional way. The club ball is already on the mediate European level – and Legia I number among these middles, it's large money. Not as large as the elite, but already at this level, football craft is taken very seriously. Any financial failure is simply a blow to the club's money. And that translates into another things. The full mechanics of the sports club's operation is connected. Football clubs fight for fans and for the brand. They take peculiar care of their backyard. They want the club logo to be as recognizable as possible. Everyone wants the stadiums to attract not only the largest number of spectators, but besides sponsors. To be safe and free of hooliganism. Which has already been permanently glued to the image of the Legion of Warsaw. In my opinion, however, this is simply a large shame for the board. However, sometimes I get the impression that they are not very afraid about this situation. possibly I'm incorrect about that, and possibly any action is being taken. But it seems that there is simply a bigger problem.
I agree with Mr. John Tomaszewski. Sports arenas, including football stadiums, are no place to show political views. That's the view I stand by. "Kibices make a problem for themselves and their club. Let politicians and the media discuss the subject that is in the frame. Tribunes are not the right place for this," says Jan. That's enough. The very rules of league competitions of the Polish Football Union, he speaks straight about it. Polish stadiums are prohibited from political agitation and demonstration of political views. The ban on preaching xenophobic and racist slogans. Prohibition of discrimination and insulting social groups. akin rules apply in all European leagues and in UEFA. Football unions at this angle are very delicate and the smallest deviation from the norm, they are punished firmly and severely. UEFA does not tolerate hooliganism and consistently fights this phenomenon.
In any unusual coincidence, completely incomprehensible for me, match fixtures at the stadium in Warsaw, they make ecstasy on the right hand side, generating unjustified admiration and appreciation. The blind stay those who dissolve in delight, but do not see the another side of the medal. The purely sporting and financial side. They don't see how any inappropriate behaviour of pseudokids affects the full club. all violation of established rules, not only carries advanced financial penalties and severe image starts, but above all destroys the thought of athletics and kills the spirit of competition.
Finally, a question for deeper reflection. In another sports arenas, our alleged "national sports", in league competitions or at the representation level, for example in volleyball halls, or even in popular competitions of skis, do we see any political demonstrations? Nope. At least I haven't met it yet. These sports are free of politics. And this immediately translates into the level of sporting performance and competition itself. That I will not mention the success of sports. Isn't it?
Dariusz Piechaczek
