Polish Police Battle Soccer Hooligans

Soccer fans celebrating a league championship broke store windows, damaged restaurant terraces and fought with police, outbursts leading to more than 200 arrests in the capital and injuries to more than 50 officers.

About 1,500 officers in riot gear clashed with hooligans Saturday night after some of the estimated 7,000 fans celebrating Legia Warsaw's victory in front of the Royal Castle tried to break into a liquor store and attacked police with paving stones.

Police arrested 231 people for assault and property destruction, Warsaw police spokesman Mariusz Sokolowski said Sunday. Fifty-four police officers were injured, and one remained hospitalized with a concussion.

Fifty-eight people will be charged with assaulting police officers, and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, national police chief Marek Bienkowski said.

The World Cup begins June 9 in neighboring Germany, and Polish and German media have raised concerns over the possible violence by Polish fans. Poland plays Germany, Ecuador and Costa Rica in the first round of the tournament.

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