Attack on Hungarian fans in Zabrze

On Wednesday evening, August 12, 2026, at approximately 21:27, police in Zabrze received a report of an attack at a pizzeria on Wolności Street, at the intersection with De Gaulle'a Street in the city center. A group of masked hooligans associated with Górnik Zabrze attacked fans of Ferencváros Budapest who were dining inside, along with several Slovak guests. The attackers wore colors associated with Torcida, Górnik's ultras group, and shouted club-related slogans, according to TVN24. Police spokesperson asp. Sebastian Bijok of the Zabrze Municipal Police said the attackers threw various objects at the restaurant, smashing windows and demolishing part of the interior. According to RMF FM journalist Krzysztof Zasada, the group numbered around 80 and threw chairs from outside before entering the premises, where a fight broke out.

Security staff at the venue used handheld tear gas against the attackers and called police. When patrols from the Zabrze municipal police and a platoon from the Police Prevention Unit in Katowice arrived, the attackers fled on foot. Empty tear gas canisters were found at the scene. No one was detained. Bijok said the attackers were masked and that witness accounts of their number varied, requiring analysis of surveillance footage. Police estimated the group at 50 to 100 persons, but urged caution with those figures. The portal zabrze112.pl reported further incidents near the intersection and the House of Music and Dance building, but police said they conducted only one intervention.

One injury, no formal complaints

One Hungarian fan was transported to a hospital in Zabrze with a broken tibia. Bijok clarified that the injury occurred when the man jumped over a fence while fleeing the restaurant, not as a result of being beaten. Police questioned 10 Hungarian citizens, but none filed a formal criminal complaint. The restaurant owner had not yet reported the value of damages. Bijok noted that not all Hungarian guests at the restaurant had come for the match.

Diplomatic reaction

Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban called the attack "shocking and unacceptable" in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, after a phone conversation with Hungary's consul general in Kraków. She is a member of Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government.

“A sporting event should be based on shared emotions and must never become a place for acts of violence.”

Orban said Hungarian officers delegated to Poland are supporting Polish police, and that the consulate general maintains ongoing contact with police in Zabrze and representatives of both clubs.

Match security and context

The return leg of the Europa League third qualifying round between Górnik Zabrze and Ferencváros Budapest was scheduled for Thursday, August 13 at 19:00 at the Ernest Pohl Stadium in Zabrze. Górnik, vice-champions of Poland, had initially competed in Champions League qualifying but were sent to the Europa League path after losing to Fenerbahçe. They lost the away leg of the Ferencváros tie 0:1. The match has been classified as high-risk, with police from various units across the Silesian Voivodeship deployed to provide security. Bijok said police forces could be increased further if needed. The incident follows earlier acts of aggression by Górnik fans during the club's qualifying match against Fenerbahçe.