Pogoń owner Alex Haditaghi threatens Legia with a three-year away-sector ban
Legia's away sector stayed shut for the 2:0 win over Wisła Kraków on Sunday, 11 October. Pogoń Szczecin's owner responded on X that his club's away sector would be closed to Legia fans for three years if Pogoń supporters are barred when they visit in December.
Away sector shut for Wisła fans
Legia Warsaw beat Wisła Kraków 2:0 on Sunday, 11 October, in the tenth round of the Ekstraklasa, a match played without visiting supporters. Legia's away sector at Łazienkowska stadium has been closed until at least the end of the year, officially because of modernisation works. Few believed that explanation, and TVN24 reported that the unofficial reason was reluctance towards supporters from Kraków. Wisła fans followed the match on big screens outside the ground. Legia was also fined 250,000 zloty by a PZPN body for the closure.
Interia reported that if Legia keeps the policy, fans of Lech Poznań, Raków Częstochowa, Wieczysta Kraków and Pogoń Szczecin could also be barred this year, and each further match would cost the club another 250,000 zloty.
Haditaghi's warning on X
Alex Haditaghi, owner of Pogoń Szczecin, responded on X on Monday, 12 October. He said he has great respect for Legia owner Dariusz Mioduski and the club, but called the decision absolutely wrong.
Watching the match without Wisła Kraków fans was sad, disappointing and completely unacceptable.
Haditaghi then set out his retaliation. Pogoń's visit to Warsaw is scheduled for 12 December, and he tied his response to whether its fans are admitted.
If the sector is closed to Pogoń Szczecin fans during our visit, I give you my word that our away sector will be closed to Legia fans for the next three years. I really don't want to do this, but I will.
He also addressed possible PZPN penalties, saying he did not care whether the fine was 250,000 or one million zloty. His principles, he wrote, were not for sale. He said he wants full stadiums, fierce rivalries, committed supporters and a strong atmosphere.
League table and fixtures
After ten rounds Legia sits third in the table with 22 points, three fewer than leaders Górnik Zabrze. Pogoń is fourth on 18 points but has an outstanding match still to play. The clubs' next meeting is set for 12 December in Warsaw.
- Legia Warszawa
- 22 points
- Pogoń Szczecin
- 18 points
What comes next
Whether Pogoń supporters are admitted on 12 December will decide whether the threat is carried out. Haditaghi closed his post by stressing that the fans own the clubs' history and identity.
We, the owners of clubs, are only temporary custodians of these great clubs.
He wrote that football without fans is not football and that it is a business without a soul. The Legia against Pogoń fixture is scheduled for 12 December.
