Alleged Polish hooligan leader detained: Police

Warsaw: Warsaw police have arrested the suspected ringleader of the Polish attacks on Russian fans at Euro 2012 football championship, spokesman Maciej Karczynski said.

More than 190 people were detained, including at least 162 Poles and 25 Russians, after Polish hooligans attacked several thousand Russian supporters marching to celebrate a national holiday before the two sides played out a 1-1 draw Tuesday. “Among 20 people arrested in the days after the match was alleged leader of a violent Polish fan group who is already well known to the police," Karczynski said. "He is linked with one of the capital`s football clubs," he added. Despite the man`s notoriety, Karczynski said it was still "hard to imagine that he could have a responsibility like this "because he is middle-aged". Many of those arrested have already received short custodial sentences. The Polish police are continuing to search for other alleged organisers of the unrest. Russia received a suspended six-point penalty for Euro 2016 qualification while the Russian Football Union was fined 120,000 euros (USD151,000) for crowd disturbances and the use of pyrotechnics at the Wroclaw game. Russia is one step from Euro 2012 quarter-finals and will be satisfied with the draw in the final group stage match against Greece. IANS