Sheriff tries to calm Polish fans

The sheriff fined both men for the offences in Galashiels

A sheriff has told two Polish football fans arrested in the Borders after watching their national team lose to Germany to remember "it's only a game".

Jacek Zwizchlewski and Seweryn Wajs, both of Galashiels, admitted breaching the peace in the town in June.

Police officers had to use CS spray to prevent a potential "mass brawl" outside the Foundry Bar.

Wajs was fined �225 at Selkirk Sheriff Court and Zwizchlewski - who had also obstructed police - was fined �265.

The court heard Wajs, 25, and Zwizchlewski, 28, were part of a large group of Poland fans who had gathered in the pub to watch the Euro 2008 match, which Germany won 2-0, on 8 June.

He was enflamed with emotion and would not calm down and eventually had to be arrested Duncan MacNeill Depute fiscal

Depute fiscal Duncan MacNeill said there was a high degree of excitement about the game when the Polish fans gathered in the bar in the town's High Street.

However, some of the group got involved in a confrontation with the police while standing outside the pub having a cigarette.

Mr MacNeill said: "Wajs was given a number of warnings by police to moderate his behaviour because he wanted to get involved in a fight.

"He was enflamed with emotion and would not calm down and eventually had to be arrested.

"Police had to use CS spray to calm down Zwizchlewski as he tried on two occasions to get Wajs out of a police van, because the situation was potentially a mass brawl breaking out as more people threatened to get involved."

'Party atmosphere'

Wajs' lawyer Ross Dow claimed his client had got upset because he had been struck on the back of the head by someone while he was watching the game.

Iain Burke, representing Zwizchlewski, added: "The group had been in high spirits and there was a party atmosphere inside the pub during the game.

"The incident took place at full time when Poland had unfortunately lost the match.

"He was aware his friend had been assaulted and tensions increased as a result - he wants to apologise to the police."

Sheriff Kevin Drummond fined the pair for the offences. He also told both men: "It's only a game."

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