Krakow football fans march for peace

Yesterday's march of reconciliation in Krakow. Photo: PAP/Jacek Bednarczyk

About 700 people took part in the action, including referees, training staff and local MPs, under the slogan of “Free football from violence and xenophobia.”

The city's two principal clubs, Cracovia and Wisla, have been locked in what has been dubbed “a holy war” for as far back as any can remember.

Knife-fights between fans of the clubs are commonplace, and in June this year, a 23-year-old died in such a clash. Another fatality occurred in February.

MP Jerzy Federowicz (Civic Platform), a former actor, said that the march was a step in the right direction.

“These activities should be repeated again and again and again,” he told Polish Radio.

“We want to show that there is no approval for the fact that because of sport, boys and men are dying on the streets from knife wounds,” he said.

The last notable reconciliation took place in April 2005, following the death of Polish pontiff John Paul II, who had himself been a Cracovia fan.

Thousands of fans from Krakow's clubs joined in an impromptu candle-lit mass at the Cracovia stadium. However, the truce lasted just a few days. (nh)