During the inaugural match of the fresh period of PKO BP Extraclassy, in which the Legion of Warsaw defeated Zagłębie Lubin 2:0, the attention of the media and the public chained the frame prepared by fans of the capital band. It does not fit into the political correctness framework, so the club was punished.
The luminaire that caused controversy
On the “Grylet”, a grandstand known for its most ardent fans of the Legion, appeared a luminaire that attracted peculiar interest. A banner with the inscription “Refugees welcome” “Welcome, refugees”) was accompanied by a large format flag representing a female holding a pig head and 2 men with a wooden baton and a hammer in their hands.
These images rapidly spread on social media, causing stormy discussions not only among fans, but besides in political circles. The case gained specified publicity that it was curious in the Extraclassy SA League Committee.
League Commission Decision
The League's committee has aired an easy way to inject cash and punished Legia Warszawa with a fine of PLN 30 1000 for an “unlawful” frame.
"The club has been fined by financial sanctions, due to the fact that according to the applicable provisions of the disciplinary regulations of the PZPN and another regulations that have been in force for years, an exhibition is unacceptable in the stadium, including in the transmission of hidden content of a discriminatory nature or related to violence", announced Jarosław Poturnicki, president of the League Committee.
The Commission’s argument
The League Committee stressed that each case is considered on a case-by-case basis and that the vulnerability itself is subject to sanctions if the content offends or humiliates another persons. "Football competitions should be free from political agitation or call for hatred or violence; the point of these games is simply sport. However, as a League Committee, we do not restrict freedom of speech or communication, but we argue any aggression against any social groups in the stadiums," says the Communication.
Reactions and opinions
The League Commission's decision met with mixed reactions. any sports supporters and commentators felt that punishment was justified and essential to keep order and advance tolerance at stadiums. Others, however, argued that this was a manifestation of excessive censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech.
There are both voices of support and criticism on social media. any netizens wrote that the setting was an expression of artistic expression and manifestation of political beliefs of supporters that should be respected. Others stressed that the stadium was not a place for political demonstrations and aggressive content could lead to escalation of tensions.
Consequences for the Legion of Warsaw
The Legion of Warsaw, as a club, was placed in a hard situation. On the 1 hand, he must respect the rules and regulations imposed by football organizations, on the other, he cannot ignore the voice of his most devoted fans. The club's management issued a message stating that the club does not support any form of discrimination and violence, but at the same time respects the right to free speech.
Daniel Głogowski
Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.
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Scandal! The board of the Extraklasy SA League punished Legia Warszawa for the banner of supporters incompatible with mainstream propaganda
