Football's showpiece occasions have a nasty habit of spilling over into the streets, and the Europa Conference League final is no different. GoalZaza...
Football's showpiece occasions have a nasty habit of spilling over into the streets, and the Europa Conference League final is no different. GoalZaza can confirm that German authorities have taken a firm line before a ball is even kicked, ordering sixty Crystal Palace supporters classified as "known troublemakers" to leave Leipzig. Two arrests have already been made following ugly scenes between Palace and Vallecano fans.Let's be honest. This is not new. There is a certain type of supporter who treats a European final as a licence to cause chaos rather than a chance to soak up the atmosphere and sing their hearts out. What is striking here is the preemptive nature of the police action. They clearly knew the risk, identified the faces, and acted. It is a brutal but necessary piece of crowd management.The clash itself, however minor, tarnishes what should be a celebration of the lower tiers of European competition. Rayo Vallecano bring their own passionate, volatile following. When you mix that with Palace's own hardcore element, the recipe for trouble is always there. It is disappointing that two sets of fans, both of whom have waited years for this kind of night, let the moment get away from them.Palace's travelling support is rightly famous for its noise and colour. But the stain of a few idiots can ruin the reputation of the many. Leipzig's police deserve credit for being proactive. Now the real focus must return to the pitch. Can Palace cope with Vallecano's relentless high press That is the question that should be keeping everyone busy. Not this. Not arrests before a whistle has been blown.
