Football's night of shame: Extraordinary scenes as stadium is set ablaze during mass riot at cup final

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated: 11:30 EST, 4 May 2011

Hooligans clashed with riot police and damaged the stadium after the Polish Cup final ended in a penalty shoot out last night.

Fans invaded the pitch, demolished barriers and attacked photographers in Bydgoszcz before police were able to get the situation under control using water cannon.

Legia Warsaw had won the trophy after beating Lech Poznan 5-4 on penalties in an ill-tempered game.

Violence: Flares burn in the stands during the Polish Cup Final in Bydgoszcz

Trouble: Hooligans invaded the pitch and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the stadium after Legia Warsaw won the game 5-4 on penalties

Stripped: Hooligans undress one of the players after invading the pitch

The riot, seen by representatives from European football body UEFA and the government, has been condemned by Polish officials.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country is due to co-host the 2012 European Championships with the Ukraine, has called for a police investigation into the riot.

The match had finished 1-1 after normal time, before eventually going to a penalty shoot-out.

Alarming: Legia Warsaw supporters invade the pitch after the final whistle as riot police frantically try to regain control

Security: Hooligans stand on fencing after the match finished last night. Poland is a co-host of next year's European Championships

Trouble: The match between Legia Warsaw and Lech Poznan had finished 1-1 after normal time

Damage: Smashed plastic seating at the Zawisza Bydgoszcz stadium after the riots last night. Police had to use water cannon to control the crowd

Pawel Gras, government spokesman, told daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza: 'Surely there will be a strong reaction from the government, this just can't take place any longer.'

In March, Lithuanian police made more than 10 arrests and fired teargas at several hundred Polish fans who threw stones and bottles outside the Darius and Girenas stadium in Kaunas before and during a friendly match which their team lost 2-0.

Poland has already been criticised by UEFA officials over hooliganism, which it says is destroying the country's image.

The Polish government has announced new legislation to tackle football violence similar to the laws brought in by Germany for the 2006 World Cup.