2015 Knurów riots

On 2 May 2015, at a Concordia Knurów versus Ruch Radzionków fifth division match in Knurów, police started firing rubber bullets at fans from a close distance after several home fans jumped onto the pitch and ran towards the visiting fans.

A 27-year-old fan of Concordia, Dawid Dziedzic, was shot, and despite attempts to resuscitate him he died shortly in hospital hours later.[2] He was a single father, described as a caring parent from a modest background.[3]

According to the police, the use of such force was justified,[4] whilst the fans said that such a minor infringement of pitch invasion should never be punished by death.[5] Under Polish law, unauthorised entering onto the pitch during a football match is punishable by up to three years in prison.[6] The police reaction has sparked anger among fans, particularly the ultras, with the appeal for support reaching an international appeal.[7] A full court investigation has launched into the incident.[8]

In Knurów around 200 fans have clashed with police outside the police headquarters, with the riots lasting several days.[9][10] 46 people were arrested, many injured fans as well as policemen.[11]

Thousands of people attended Dawid's funeral on 7 May 2015.[12][13] Fans lit flares during the ceremony, and the ceremony was conducted in a peaceful manner.[14][15] The gathering was marked by heavy police presence.[16]

• Football hooliganism in Poland
• Police brutality
• 1998 Słupsk street riots