Two arrested as Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano fans clash before Conference League final
German police arrested two people and separated hundreds of Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano supporters after bottles and furniture were thrown in Leipzig city centre on the eve of the UEFA Conference League final.
Pre-match tensions erupt
Violence broke out on Tuesday evening in the heart of Leipzig when around 300 Rayo Vallecano supporters, classified by Saxon authorities as high-risk for hooliganism, encountered Crystal Palace fans seated outside restaurants. Witnesses and social media footage captured chairs, beer glasses, and bottles being hurled between the groups, with several people falling to the ground as fights erupted. The incident occurred near Leo's Brasserie and Dhillons, according to police, with a large group of men in black T-shirts arriving moments beforehand.
Bottles, beer glasses, and pub furniture were thrown at each other. Physical altercations also occurred.
Police intervention and arrests
Officers immediately moved in to separate the rival factions, checking the identities of more than 300 individuals and issuing dispersal orders. Two people were detained, and one federal officer and one state police officer sustained minor injuries but remained on duty. Later, approximately 60 Crystal Palace fans identified as known troublemakers were tracked moving toward the Penguin Ice Bar, where they allegedly provoked passing Spanish supporters before being contained by federal police. The operation concluded at 03:15 on Wednesday morning, with over 320 fans involved overall.
- Clashes break out between Rayo and Palace fans outside bars in Leipzig city centre.
- Police intervene, separate groups, and begin identity checks of over 300 individuals.
- A group of 60 Palace ‘known troublemakers’ provoke Spanish fans near Penguin Ice Bar; surrounded by federal police.
- Police operation concludes; more than 320 fans involved, two arrests made, two officers suffer minor injuries.
A historic final overshadowed
The clashes threaten to darken what is a landmark fixture for both clubs. Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano are each competing in their first European final, and the match at Red Bull Arena will be Oliver Glasner's last as Palace manager. A Palace victory would not only secure the trophy but also a place in next season's Europa League, making them the third English club to win the Conference League after West Ham in 2023 and Chelsea in 2025. English football could complete an unprecedented sweep of all three men's European club competitions, with Aston Villa having won the Europa League and Arsenal facing PSG in Saturday's Champions League final.
Night under control
Despite the earlier violence, the official fan fest in Leipzig's market area remained peaceful throughout, attended by around 2,000 fans from both sides. German police and UEFA are coordinating security for the final, with kick-off set for 20:00 BST. Back in Madrid, more than 14,000 Rayo supporters prepared to watch the match on giant screens at the Vallecas stadium, hoping the team can secure a historic win.
