The secretary-general of the Polish Football Association, Łukasz Wachowski, said on the social media platform X on Tuesday that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee had punished the association for what he described as “breaches of order and safety” during the game, played on November 14 at the National Stadium in the capital.
In the 58th minute, Italian referee Maurizio Mariani halted play after several flares had been thrown onto the pitch from the stand behind the Polish goal.
That sector was occupied by the most vocal home supporters from the fan association “To My Polacy” (Us Poles).
According to the group, its members were angered by a decision by stadium security services to block a planned “patriotic display” they had prepared for the match.
The supporters had earlier complained online that they were not allowed to bring in a large banner depicting a crowned white eagle and a slogan.
The Polish Football Association condemned the behavior of the fans involved.
In a statement, the governing body said that it did not accept any actions that break the law inside stadiums, in particular the lighting and throwing of flares, which it described as unacceptable.
The association said that safety at the stadium was the priority and that security staff, working with the police, make final decisions about who may enter the venue and are responsible for checks that are meant to stop dangerous items being brought inside.
At the same time, the association thanked “all fans who supported the national team in a good atmosphere,” saying that by their conduct they clearly expressed opposition to the use of flares.
During the incident, fans in other sections of the stadium booed as more flares landed on the pitch.
The fan association later published the design of the blocked banner. A similar red-and-white illumination featuring a crowned eagle and the “Fight Poland!" slogan was projected onto the façade of the Presidential Palace three days later, ahead of Poland’s next match, against Malta.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki attended the game against the Netherlands at the National Stadium and was warmly welcomed by the organized supporters’ section.
This is the second recent fine imposed on the Polish Football Association by FIFA for fan behavior.
In early November, FIFA punished the association with a 39,500 Swiss franc fine over the conduct of Polish supporters at the October away match against Lithuania in Kaunas.
The reasons cited then included the use of fireworks and what FIFA described as gestures, words or objects that carried messages inappropriate for a sporting event.
On the pitch, Poland drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in the Group G qualifier at the National Stadium. Jakub Kamiński scored for Poland, while Memphis Depay equalized for the visitors.
Matches between Poland and the Netherlands over the past four decades have often been tight, with narrow Dutch wins or draws. Poland’s last victory over the Dutch dates back to May 1979, when the Polish side won 2-0 in Chorzów.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP