Violence broke out in Leipzig as Crystal Palace fans clashed with rival supporters ahead of the Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano. Riot police intervened, a cordoned-off area near the Market Square was reported, and dozens of fa
Violence erupted in Leipzig on Tuesday evening in scenes that threatened to spoil the build-up to Wednesday’s Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show clashes between supporters near an Irish bar in the German city. A group dressed in black t-shirts surged towards supporters wearing Palace shirts before riot police moved in to separate the groups.
Another clip showed bottles and chairs being thrown between rival sets of fans as thousands arrived for the final at Leipzig Stadium from Britain and Spain. The scale of travel and noise around the match has been part of the spectacle in Leipzig, but on the streets it turned ugly quickly.
German police have since cordoned off an area close to the main Market Square. and dozens of fans are believed to have been held for several hours for a “breach of the peace” connected to the altercation. Under local laws. fans held during the incident are effectively banned from the city centre until 10am on Wednesday morning. and they have undergone stringent ID checks.
On the pitch, both clubs go into the match with the same motivation: neither has won a major European trophy. The winner will also qualify for next season’s Europa League.
Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano were each allocated just under 11,500 tickets by UEFA for the final. With the match still hours away, large numbers are expected to gather in Leipzig without tickets, soaking up the atmosphere in pubs and watching on screens.
This final also marks the end of an era for Crystal Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner. He will be leaving the club at the end of the season, with Tuesday’s build-up coming against the backdrop of an earlier announcement about his departure.
Glasner won the FA Cup last season with Palace. The club were originally set to play in the Europa League before they were demoted to the Conference League over a breach of multi-club ownership rules.
Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson spoke ahead of Wednesday’s game about the significance of Glasner’s run and what it has meant for supporters. “He’ll be a huge miss. He knows that from Monday. The players made a send-off video to him that spoke from the heart,” Henderson said.
Henderson also described the bond built during Glasner’s reign, pointing to success beyond the European stage. He referenced the FA Cup and Community Shield victories as evidence of a connection that has carried into the team’s run in this competition.
“The connection I have with the supporters is an honour,” Henderson added. “The team has also got a special connection and when I joined, that wasn’t in place.”
He said that rapport has grown since Glasner arrived and can still be felt in the biggest moments. “Since the manager came in. we’ve built that rapport and they can really help us here. like they did in previous big games. It would be a huge honour to win the trophy. but I’ve got to focus on the process and not the outcome at this time.”.
Henderson stressed that the squad has tried to stay composed in recent high-pressure matches. “All the boys are pretty calm,” he said. “We’ve been here and know what it takes. Before tomorrow night, we’ll be very focused and excited to get out there and show what we can do.”
There is also a tactical and selection question hanging over the match after injury concerns. Glasner confirmed that a final decision on the fitness of Chris Richards and Adam Wharton will be made on Wednesday following recent injuries, although both trained on Tuesday.
With riot police already intervening in the city centre and police holding fans for hours under local rules. the focus now shifts back to what happens at Leipzig Stadium. Palace and Rayo Vallecano are chasing their first major European trophy—just as the atmosphere in the streets around the ground tries. with some urgency. to return to something closer to match-day celebration.
Crystal Palace Rayo Vallecano Conference League final Leipzig riot police fan clashes Dean Henderson Oliver Glasner Chris Richards Adam Wharton UEFA tickets multi-club ownership rules
People really can’t just watch soccer like normal anymore. 🤦
So they’re banning fans from the city center until 10am?? That seems kinda extreme, like it’s not even a riot in their own country. Also why are Palace fans the ones acting like that, I don’t get it.
Wait so riot police broke up Palace vs Rayo and they held people for hours for ‘breach of the peace’… but it says dozens of fans held. Is that like deporting them or just checking IDs? Kinda weird that it’s a UEFA final but Germany is acting like it’s a war.
This is why I hate finals, same story every year. I saw something about an Irish bar and black shirts like that’s always where it starts. Next thing you know they’ll say ‘no more alcohol’ or blame the travel or whatever. Meanwhile on the pitch they’re both just trying to qualify for Europa League right? Like the violence has nothing to do with that but of course it ruins the whole vibe.