Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano fans have clashed in Leipzig ahead of their two teams facing each other in the Conference League final, German police said on Wednesday morning.
Police said bottles, beer glasses and furniture were thrown on Tuesday evening when a group of around 300 Rayo fans encountered Palace supporters who were sitting outside restaurants, and that officers also intervened in another incident when around 60 Palace fans “provoked” Spanish supporters.
IT’S KICKING OFF BETWEEN RAYO VALLECANO & CRYSTAL PALACE FANS😬😳
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) May 26, 2026
They both play each other tomorrow in the UEFA Conference League final pic.twitter.com/8CPN5QIIB8
Leipzig police said two people were detained and two police officers sustained minor injuries but remained fit for duty. More than 300 people had their identities checked, police confirmed.
Both teams are in their first European final, and this will be Oliver Glasner’s final match in charge of Palace before he leaves the south London club at the end of the season.
Glasner led Palace to FA Cup glory last year, with his team shocking Manchester City in the final, and his side now have the chance to earn more silverware, despite having a disappointing domestic campaign.
The Eagles could only finish 15th in the Premier League and finished their season with a 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Rayo finished eighth in La Liga and will hope to ruin Glasner’s farewell on Wednesday night.
A win for Palace on Wednesday would keep English clubs on track for a potential sweep of all three main European men's club continental competitions.
Aston Villa won the Europa League last week by beating Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul, and Arsenal are due to play current holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.
Fans clash in Leipzig ahead of the Europa Conference Final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano tomorrow. 😲
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) May 26, 2026
To any Palace fans out there hoping to simply enjoy the trip and support their team, please stay safe! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/j3viRSuMHt
This will be the fifth Conference League final after the Uefa competition began back in the 2021-22 season.
Roma claimed the inaugural title by beating Feyenoord in the final, before West Ham became champions by overcoming Fiorentina the following year.
Fiorentina fell agonisingly short again in 2024, losing to Olympiacos in the final in Athens, while Chelsea came from behind to thrash Real Betis 4-1 in last year’s final before going on to win the newly-expanded Club World Cup in the summer.
