TS Wisła Kraków SA's request to the Polish Football Association regarding the match against Śląsk Wrocław

1. assessment of the validity of the decision of the authorities of the Śląsk Wrocław club regarding the refusal to accept an organised group of Wisła Kraków fans to the match of the 24th round of the 1st League Championship in the 2025/2026 season between the first teams of the indicated clubs (hereinafter referred to as the "Match") and in the event of finding the said decision unjustified – the obligation of the Śląsk Wrocław club to accept an organised group of Wisła Kraków fans during the Match, in the number of at least 5% of the total number of seats available at Tarczyński Arena Wrocław,

or

2. imposing a disciplinary penalty on Śląsk Wrocław by playing the Match without the participation of the public, i.e. without the participation of Śląsk Wrocław fans and without the participation of an organised group of Wisła Kraków fans in the Match, pursuant to Article 64 §3 in connection with §1 point
3) the Disciplinary Regulations of the Polish Football Association due to the failure of WKS Śląsk Wrocław SA with its registered office in Wrocław to ensure adequate security at the stadium and failure to fulfil the obligations specified in the regulations regarding the rules for the participation of visiting team fans at football matches, which resulted in the failure to ensure security guaranteeing the participation of both the organised group of Wisła Kraków fans during the Match and the players, the sports staff and the Wisła Kraków authorities,

or

3. change of venue of the Match, which according to the original arrangements should have been organised on March 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., at the stadium in Wrocław – Tarczyński Arena Wrocław to Synerise Arena – Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków, due to the inability of the Match organiser – WKS Śląsk Wrocław SA with its registered office in Wrocław to ensure safety, which – according to the statement of the Match organiser of February 27, 2026 – was the main reason for the decision to refuse to accept the organised group of Wisła Kraków fans,

or

4. setting a new date for the Match to be played at a place and on a date indicated by the Department of National Competitions of the Polish Football Association, including at the stadium in Wrocław – Tarczyński Arena Wrocław, provided that the Match is organised in full compliance with the applicable regulations of the Polish Football Association and that the Match organiser provides full and real safety guarantees for:

a. Wisła Kraków players,

former Wisła Kraków training staff,

c. representatives of the Club's authorities,

d. an organized group of Wisła Kraków fans participating in the Match,

alternatively – in the event of rejection of the applications indicated in points 1-4 above:

5. imposing a disciplinary penalty on Śląsk Wrocław by reviewing the match of the 24th round of the 1st League Championship in the 2025/2026 season between the first senior teams of Śląsk Wrocław and Wisła Kraków as a walkover (i.e. result 0:3 for Wisła Kraków), pursuant to Art. 64 §3 in connection with §1 item 2) of the Disciplinary Regulations of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) due to the failure of WKS Śląsk Wrocław S.A. with its registered office in Wrocław to ensure adequate security at the stadium and failure to fulfil the obligations specified in the regulations regarding the rules for the participation of visiting team fans at football matches, which resulted in the failure to ensure security guaranteeing the participation of both an organised group of Wisła Kraków fans during the Match and the players, sports staff and Wisła Kraków authorities.

At this point, I would like to emphasize that Wisła Kraków remains in full readiness to play the Match in question on the date set in the schedule, while maintaining the organizational and safety conditions resulting from the applicable regulations of the Polish Football Association, in particular in terms of ensuring the possibility of participation of an organized group of fans of the visiting team and guaranteeing the safety of all participants of the sporting event.

In the current state of affairs – given the Match organiser's position that it is impossible to ensure safety in the event of the participation of Wisła Kraków fans – serious doubts arise as to the organiser's ability to ensure an appropriate level of safety also for the Wisła Kraków first team players, members of the training staff and the club delegation during their stay in Wrocław and during the Match itself.

For this reason, I request an urgent resolution of this matter by taking appropriate organisational decisions provided for in the association regulations, in particular by changing the venue of the Match, setting a new date for it or obliging the organiser of the Match to ensure organisational conditions in line with the PZPN regulations.

Wisła Kraków also declares its readiness to play the Match at any time and place designated by the Polish Football Association, provided that the organiser ensures safety conditions that meet the standards required by general law and the regulations of the Polish Football Association.

JUSTIFICATION

1. Decision of the authorities of the Śląsk Wrocław club

In a letter dated February 27, 2026, representatives of WKS Śląsk Wrocław S.A. with its registered office in Wrocław electronically informed the Club that – acting as the organiser of a mass event within the meaning of the Act of March 20, 2009 on the Safety of Mass Events – after conducting a detailed risk analysis and assessment of the security situation related to the organisation of the match between Śląsk Wrocław and Wisła Kraków on March 7, 2026, it had decided to refuse admission to an organised group of Wisła Kraków fans. The justification for this decision generally referred to the provisions of Resolution No. II/85 of the Management Board of the Polish Football Association on the rules for the participation of visiting team fans at football matches during central-level competitions, as well as the fact that the Police classified the match in question as a high-risk match.

At the same time, in a statement published by Śląsk Wrocław on its official website, it was indicated that this decision is preventive in nature and was made based on a risk analysis and the obligation to ensure the safety of participants in a mass event.

This position, however, should be considered as insufficiently supported by applicable association regulations. Pursuant to Resolution No. II/85 of the PZPN Management Board, the host club may refuse to admit an organized group of visiting team fans only in strictly defined circumstances, namely, upon a relevant decision by the relevant state or local government authorities, upon a decision by the relevant authorities of the Polish Football Association, or in the event of particularly justified circumstances dictated by safety considerations, where "particularly justified cases" are demonstrated. If such a decision or opinion existed, Śląsk Wrocław should have presented it as the basis for its decision, which it did not. The lack of a specific decision by the relevant public authority leads to the conclusion that the refusal to admit fans was based solely on the unilateral, arbitrary judgment of the match organizer. At the same time, the cited regulations clearly indicate that the justification for a decision not to admit visiting team fans is subject to individual review by the relevant disciplinary bodies of the PZPN. This means that refusing to admit fans of the visiting team constitutes an exception to the rule that fans of both teams participate in a sporting event and, as such, must be interpreted strictly. Therefore, and in accordance with the generally accepted and common principle of legal interpretation, exceptiones non sunt extendendae, exceptions should be interpreted strictly, prohibiting expansive interpretations. It is important to note the PZPN's use of the words "particularly justified" in this provision. According to the PWN dictionary definition, "particularly" means that something, e.g., an event, thing, object, or entity, is unusual or exceptional, and therefore rare and not standard. The word "justified," on the other hand, means based on objective reasons or foundations. Therefore, the PZPN's juxtaposition of these two words indicates that the legislator intended to emphasize how extraordinary the circumstances must be for a departure from the adopted rule to be possible.

In this context, it should be emphasized that the mere fact of classifying a match as a high-risk match does not constitute a sole basis for refusing to admit an organized group of visiting team fans. This classification—which stems from both the organizational practices of the matches and the safety regulations for mass events—means that the organizer must implement appropriately enhanced security measures, not automatically exclude the participation of visiting team fans. To the best of Wisła Kraków's knowledge, the Wrocław Municipal Police Headquarters has not issued a decision prohibiting or recommending the non-acceptance of an organized group of Wisła Kraków fans during the Match, nor has it issued an opinion stating that it is impossible to secure a sporting event with the participation of an organized group of visiting fans. Furthermore, publicly available information indicates that the mere classification of a match as a high-risk event does not, in practice, prevent the participation of an organized group of visiting team fans in matches played at Tarczyński Arena Wrocław. One example is the 22nd round match of the 2025/2026 First League Championship, played on February 22, 2026, between Śląsk Wrocław and Odra Opole, which – according to a police statement – ​​was also classified as a high-risk mass event. Despite this, an organized group of visiting team fans was present at the Tarczyński Arena Wrocław, and the event was secured by police officers from Wrocław and other units in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship (https://wroclaw.policja.gov.pl/dwr/aktualnosci/bieza/168037,Zabezpieczenie-meczu-pilki-noznej-Slask-Wroclaw-Chrobry-Glogow.html).

A statement from the Wrocław Municipal Police Headquarters also indicates that, through operational and preventive measures, the police effectively countered potential threats related to this event. Thanks to efficient identification of the hooligan community and cooperation between police units, officers from the Brzeg District Police Headquarters and police officers from Opole thwarted a planned confrontation between Śląsk Wrocław and Odra Opole hooligans. As indicated in the police statement, supporters of one team were preparing for a clash with their opponents, but the officers' actions prevented the incident before it took place (https://www.prostozopolskiego.pl/policja-zapobiegla-ustawce-pseudokibicow-slaska-wroclaw-i-odry-opole/). The above incident clearly confirms that in the case of high-risk matches, the relevant public services have the appropriate tools and competencies to effectively counteract potential threats and ensure the safety of participants in sporting events, including those involving organized groups of visiting teams' fans. It is therefore difficult to justify the Match Organizer's position that the mere fact of increased risk constitutes sufficient grounds for completely excluding the organized group of Wisła Kraków fans from the match in question.

In the opinion of Wisła Kraków, the above circumstances indicate that with proper cooperation between the Match organiser (Śląsk Wrocław) and the Police and with the application of adequate security measures, it is possible to conduct a high-risk match with the participation of an organised group of fans of the visiting team, without violating the safety rules of a mass event.

2. Violation of the provisions of the Regulations for the Championship Competitions of the 1st League, 2nd League and 3rd League for the 2025/2026 season

Moreover, Article 14, Section 1 of the Regulations for the Championship Competitions of the 1st League, 2nd League, and 3rd League for the 2025/2026 Season clearly states that football matches must be played in stadiums that meet the licensing requirements specified—in this case—in the Licensing Manual for 1st League Clubs for the 2025/2026 Season and beyond, and that the host club is fully responsible for preparing the stadium for the match. This directly implies the obligation to maintain the stadium in appropriate technical and organizational condition, which will allow the match to be held in full compliance with general law and association regulations, as well as the obligation to ensure safe conditions for the organization of sports competitions. This responsibility includes, in particular, the safety of the players of both teams, the coaching staff, club delegations, fans of both teams, and representatives of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) bodies. In this context, the organizer's decision to refuse to accept an organized group of Wisła Kraków fans, justified by safety concerns, raises serious and justified doubts as to the organizer's ability to ensure the safety of other participants in the sporting event. Wisła Kraków cannot ignore the fact that since – according to Śląsk Wrocław – the presence of Wisła Kraków fans would pose a threat to the safety of the event, there is a justified concern as to whether the Match organizer (Śląsk Wrocław) is able to provide an adequate level of protection to Wisła Kraków's first team players, members of the coaching staff, and the club delegation during their stay in Wrocław and during the Match itself.

3. Violation of the provisions of the Licensing Manual for 1st League Clubs for the 2025/2026 season and beyond

I further point out that criterion I.18 of the Licensing Manual for First League Clubs for the 2025/2026 season and beyond implies the obligation to allocate at least 5% of the total number of seats available in the stadium to visiting team fans in a separate sector guaranteeing their safe and comfortable reception. It is worth emphasizing that criterion I.18 of the Licensing Manual is a type A criterion, i.e. mandatory and a condition for the granting of licenses entitling to participate in competitions in a given sports season. I also point out that a situation in which a club ceases to meet any of the type A criteria during a given season constitutes grounds for suspension or even revocation of its license. Furthermore, the obligation arising from criterion I.18 of the Licensing Manual has been transposed into Article 2 of resolution no. II/85 of the Management Board of the Polish Football Association on the rules for the participation of visiting team fans in football matches during central-level competitions organised by the Polish Football Association and Ekstraklasa SA, which requires clubs to accept an organised group of visiting team fans in the number of at least 5% of the total number of seats available at the stadium.

4. Violation of the provisions of the Disciplinary Regulations of the Polish Football Association

Of particular importance in the circumstances of this case, however, is Article 64 §3 of the PZPN Disciplinary Regulations, which states that the penalties provided for in §1 of this provision – including the verification of the match as a walkover (point 2), playing the match without the participation of the public (point 3), playing the match at a neutral stadium (point 6), exclusion from the competition (point 9) or even suspension or revocation of the license (point 10) – may also be imposed on a club in the event of non-performance or improper performance of the obligations specified in the regulations concerning the rules for the participation of visiting team fans at football matches.

This provision clearly covers situations in which the host club fails to meet its obligations under association regulations regarding the participation of an organized group of fans of the visiting team. These obligations arise, in particular, from Resolution No. II/85 of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) Management Board regarding the rules for the participation of visiting team fans at football matches during national-level competitions organized by the PZPN and Ekstraklasa SA, as well as from regulations governing the organization of competitions and licensing requirements, which require the match organizer to provide an appropriate sector for visiting team fans, representing at least 5% of the total number of seats available in the stadium.

In the circumstances of this case, Śląsk Wrocław, as the Match Organizer, decided to refuse to admit an organized group of Wisła Kraków fans without demonstrating the existence of any grounds specified in the Polish Football Association regulations that could justify a departure from the rule of admitting visiting team fans. The lack of reference to a decision by a competent public authority or trade union, as well as the failure to demonstrate the existence of particularly justified security circumstances, leads to the conclusion that this refusal was based solely on the organizer's arbitrary decision.

Therefore, the conduct of the Match organizer may be classified as a failure to fulfill obligations arising from the regulations regarding the participation of visiting team fans, within the meaning of Article 64 §3 of the PZPN Disciplinary Regulations. In such a situation, the competent authorities of the Polish Football Association are entitled to apply the sanctions provided for in Article 64 §1 of the PZPN Disciplinary Regulations, including – if it is found that the organizer's actions prevented the Match from being conducted in conditions compliant with the regulations – also to declare the match a walkover pursuant to Article 64 §1 item 2 of the PZPN Disciplinary Regulations.

The Polish Football Association – as the entity responsible for the proper conduct of competitions and the enforcement of association regulations – not only has a wide range of powers (in particular, the ability to change the venue of a match, set a new date for a competition, and oblige the organizer to ensure conditions consistent with PZPN regulations), but is also obligated to respond to situations where there is a risk of a violation of the competition organization rules, the safety of event participants, or the equal treatment of clubs. In particular, the Polish Football Association's bodies may apply regulatory measures aimed at restoring compliance with the regulations, including by issuing appropriate organizational or disciplinary decisions against the competition organizer when that organizer's actions may lead to a violation of the competition organization rules, the safety of event participants, or the equal treatment of clubs participating in the competition.

5. Violation of the provisions of the Polish Football Association Code of Ethics

In light of the above circumstances, there is also a reasonable doubt regarding the principle of equal treatment of participants in matches held under the auspices of the Polish Football Association, as well as a reasonable suspicion that Śląsk Wrocław has violated other provisions of the Polish Football Association's Code of Ethics (hereinafter referred to as the "Code"). Since in other matches played at the same venue – also classified as high-risk matches – the participation of an organized group of visiting team fans was permitted and secured with the involvement of the appropriate security services, there is no basis for treating Wisła Kraków fans differently without identifying specific, objective, and extraordinary security circumstances. Such a practice could lead to a situation that violates the fundamental principles of equality of participants in sports competitions and the transparency of league competition organization.

Both Wisła Kraków and Śląsk Wrocław, as football clubs affiliated with the Polish Football Association, are obligated to comply with the Code, including refraining from actions or omissions by entities within the Polish football movement that undermine the integrity of competitions, the fairness of sporting competitions, and the good name and reputation of football. This obligation includes, in particular, counteracting immoral, unethical, and illegal behavior. It should be emphasized from the outset that Śląsk Wrocław's actions toward Wisła Kraków fans, consisting of refusing to fulfill obligations related to ensuring the participation of an organized group of visiting fans in the Match, constitute a flagrant violation of the ethical standards set forth in the Code, and simultaneously harm the image and reputation of football competitions and the entire football community. Below, the Club identifies the guiding ethical principles stemming from the Code, which, in the Club's opinion, Śląsk Wrocław has flagrantly violated.

Article 7 – Fair Play Principle

According to Article 7 of the Code, the foundation of sports competition is fair play, understood as honest, fair competition conducted according to established rules of the game, the practical manifestation of which is voluntary compliance with applicable regulations. Fair play is a fundamental ethical standard, primarily formulating the postulate of clean, fair sports competition conducted according to established rules of the game. As a model of desirable behavior or attitude on and off the pitch, it allows for the identification of fair play or conduct in the sport of football with compliance with applicable regulations. In practical terms, fair play manifests itself particularly in voluntary compliance with applicable regulations in the sport of football.

In light of the above, it should be concluded that the unjustified refusal to admit Wisła Kraków fans does not constitute "voluntary compliance" with the applicable regulations and rules of the competition organization, but rather an action directly contrary to them, leading to an arbitrary and selective deviation from standards that are universal and binding on all clubs participating in the competition. Such conduct cannot be justified on discretionary grounds or solely on the basis of the Match being a high-risk mass event, as the principle of fair play, also understood as the obligation to respect the rules, requires diligent and loyal action within the adopted normative framework, including respect for the rights and obligations of other participants in the competition and their fans. Consequently, Śląsk Wrocław's conduct should be classified as a flagrant violation of Article 7 of the Code, as it constitutes a negation of the principle of fair competition and violates the principle of equal conditions for sports competition, significantly impacting the match environment and its course beyond the sporting dimension. At the same time, this action violates the standards referred to in Article 18 of the Code, requiring unconditional compliance with football law and acting with full credibility and integrity. Śląsk Wrocław is obligated not only to formally comply with the regulations, but also to demonstrate genuine concern for maintaining an ethical attitude and consistently applying the adopted organizational principles. Refusal to fulfill obligations to accommodate visiting fans therefore constitutes a violation of this principle. Furthermore, the conduct in question violates Art. 19 of the Code, as it undermines the integrity of football competitions both objectively, related to ensuring the proper organization of the Match within the planned scope, and subjectively, relating to compliance with the principle of fair play. Therefore, Śląsk Wrocław's decision not to accommodate Wisła Kraków fans is not a manifestation of voluntary compliance with applicable PZPN regulations, but constitutes a conscious and flagrant deviation from the applicable regulations, in particular Art. 1 of Resolution No. II/85 of the PZPN Management Board, Art. 14 and 19 of Resolution No. III/39 of 31 March 2025 of the Management Board of the PZPN, as well as art. 14 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 point 1) of resolution No. IX/140 of 3 and 7 July 2008. The scale and nature of this violation justify the assessment that the conduct of Śląsk Wrocław is in flagrant contradiction with the basic ethical and organisational standards that should be strictly respected by participants of football competitions.

Article 8 – Principle of honesty

According to Article 8 of the Code, integrity involves adhering to the rules of conduct, the game, and recognized moral norms in football relationships, even when others do not see or expect it. A specific form of integrity is truthfulness in public statements regarding sporting competition. The principle of integrity involves adhering to existing rules of conduct, the game, and socially recognized moral norms in football relationships, even when others do not see or expect it. It is expressed in particular by prioritizing the good and interests of football (and the established norms protecting them) over personal gain and by keeping one's word, especially when fulfilling contractual obligations. One form of integrity in sport is truthfulness, which should characterize all individuals making public statements regarding the course of a specific sporting competition.

Śląsk Wrocław's conduct should be classified as a flagrant violation of Article 8 of the Code, particularly regarding the obligation to comply with the rules of conduct and to prioritize the welfare and interests of football, along with the norms protecting them, over immediate self-interest. In this case, the refusal to admit Wisła Kraków fans is an example of an action aimed at pursuing self-interest while simultaneously disregarding the interests of the competition and the obligation to respect accepted and generally applicable organizational rules. This conduct creates selective and unequal conditions for participation in a sporting event, which undermines trust in the uniform and transparent application of the rules within the competition.

Art. 9 - Principles of justice and equality in sport

Pursuant to Article 9 of the Code, fairness requires fair and impartial treatment of others, and in particular, maintaining equal opportunities and rights in terms of access to values ​​that meet the needs of individual groups within the football community, and respecting these rights. Fairness means fair and impartial treatment of oneself and others, conducted in accordance with the ethical norms and principles adopted within the football movement. It requires, in particular, maintaining equal opportunities and rights in terms of access to values ​​that meet the needs of individual groups within the football community, and demonstrating respect and respect for these rights on the part of others.

In the circumstances of this case, the refusal to provide Wisła Kraków fans with the tickets they are entitled to, which generally corresponds to 5% of the stadium's capacity, constitutes a flagrant violation of Article 9 of the Code, as it leads to unequal treatment of a specific group of the football community and unjustifiably deprives them of the opportunity to participate in the Match. It should be emphasized that the principle of fairness and equality in sport requires ensuring real and comparable access to the values ​​associated with participating in the Match, including the right to organized participation of visiting fans under the terms set forth in the Polish Football Association regulations. Selectively excluding one group of fans from this right violates both the standard of equal treatment and the fundamental impartiality of the organizational activities of the entity participating in the competition. The effect of this decision is not limited solely to the rights and interests of Wisła Kraków fans. It also affects the Wisła Kraków team, which is deprived of the support of its fans, which clearly impacts the conditions of sporting competition, including its environment, atmosphere, and the comparability of conditions for matches played within the same league. Consequently, a situation arises in which one of the participants in the match gains an organizational advantage resulting from an out-of-sport decision, rather than from circumstances related to the actual course of the match on the pitch. Consequently, Śląsk Wrocław's conduct also violates Article 7 of the Code, as fair play encompasses not only conduct strictly on the pitch but also honest and loyal conduct in the organization of the match and respect for the established rules of competition. At the same time, it violates Article 19 of the Code, as the organizational actions of one of the participants shape the conditions of the match in a selective and unjustified manner, undermining the integrity of the competition and the trust in the uniform application of standards within sports competition.

Art. 10 – Principle of respect in the sport of football

According to Article 10 of the Code, respect means accepting another person's attitudes and behaviors, their characteristics, aspirations, and views, regardless of their consistency with the assessor's own characteristics. Respect means accepting another person's attitudes and behaviors, their characteristics, achievements, aspirations, and views, regardless of their consistency with the assessor's own characteristics. It may include elements of admiration, respect, affirmation, esteem, and recognition of another person's specific characteristics as valuable and valuable.

The refusal to admit Wisła Kraków fans constitutes a clear display of disrespect for their attitude and club identification, and consequently leads to the de facto exclusion of this group from participating in the Match solely on the basis of their fan affiliation. This type of action is inconsistent with the standards appropriate for professional match organization, where clubs are expected to respect the rights of football participants and adopt an impartial approach to organizational solutions. In these circumstances, Śląsk Wrocław's conduct should be classified as a flagrant violation of Article 10 of the Code, as it is inconsistent with the obligation to accept and respect the attitudes and views of others, regardless of their consistency with the preferences of the assessor. At the same time, it should be emphasized that the exclusionary effect of the refusal leads to unequal treatment of a specific group within the football community and undermines the fans' sense of agency as participants in a sporting event.

Art. 15 – Principle of maintaining a sense of dignity and honor

According to Article 15 of the Code, any discrimination is unacceptable in the football community, and every football player should uphold personal dignity and demand respect for it from others. Human dignity is a sense of self-worth and self-respect, which is expressed in the desire to be respected by others for one's spiritual and moral values ​​and social contributions. Any discrimination based on race, religion, or nationality is unacceptable in the football community. Every football player should uphold their full dignity and personal dignity and demand respect for it from others, especially teammates.

In the Club's opinion, Śląsk Wrocław's behavior, assessed through the prism of its social and symbolic implications, undermines the dignity and honor of Wisła Kraków fans, as well as the fundamental standards of mutual respect that should underpin the functioning of the football community. In this case, the refusal to admit the visiting team's fans is not a neutral organizational decision, but rather leads to stigmatizing the treatment of a specific group of sporting participants and to questioning their agency within the Match. Selectively depriving a specific group of participants of the opportunity to participate in the Match, without a normative basis and based on a discretionary decision, constitutes a flagrant violation of Article 15 of the Code, as it violates the standard of respect for personal dignity and the obligation to respect that dignity towards others. Furthermore, it should be noted that the exclusionary effect of such action leads to unequal treatment of the visiting team's fans and constitutes a lack of respect for their attitude and club identity.

Article 17 – Principle of liability

Pursuant to Article 17 of the Code, each entity bears full responsibility for its words and actions within its sphere of activity, and club entities are responsible for the proper organization of mass events and for the consequences of their decisions. Responsibility is a moral or legal obligation, according to which each person is responsible for their words and actions and faces specific consequences for them. Within the structure of football, all entities bear full responsibility for their words and actions within their spheres of activity. All individuals to whom the provisions of the Code apply must be aware of the importance of the functions they perform in football and the resulting obligations and responsibilities.

The refusal to fulfill its obligations related to the reception of visiting fans constitutes a gross breach of the obligation to act responsibly and undermines the organizational standards that rest with the club organizing the match. In particular, it should be noted that in the structure of professional competitions, the club's responsibility is not limited to ensuring minimum conditions for conducting the match, but also includes the diligent performance of obligations arising from football regulations and maintaining uniform organizational standards that guarantee the predictability and comparability of match conditions. In these circumstances, Śląsk Wrocław's conduct should be considered a violation of Article 17 of the Code, because as an entity participating in the competition and the event organizer, it bears full responsibility for the consequences of its organizational decisions, including the consequences for the event participants and the course of the competition. At the same time, this action is contrary to Article 18 of the Code, as it constitutes a departure from the obligation to strictly comply with the norms of football law and from the requirement to act with due credibility and integrity within the PZPN system. This is also reflected in the violation of PZPN regulations, in particular Article 1 of Resolution No. II/85 of the PZPN Management Board, Article 14 and 19 of Resolution No. III/39 of 31 March 2025 of the PZPN Management Board, as well as art. 14 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 point 1) of resolution No. IX/140 of 3 and 7 July 2008 of the PZPN. Furthermore, it violates art. 19 of the Code, because the organisational decisions of Śląsk Wrocław affect the conditions of the Match and the perception of equality of competition, and consequently weaken trust in the integrity of the competition and the uniform application of the rules within the competition system.

Art. 18 – The principle of strict compliance with norms

Pursuant to Article 18 of the Code, individuals and entities covered by the Code are obligated to comply with general and football law, including FIFA, UEFA, and Polish Football Association regulations, and their conduct must demonstrate a significant concern for maintaining an ethical attitude, acting with dignity, credibility, and integrity. Individuals subject to the provisions of the Code are obligated to comply with applicable general and football law, including FIFA, UEFA, and Polish Football Association regulations. Entities to which the provisions of this Code apply must demonstrate a significant concern for maintaining an ethical attitude, acting with dignity, credibility, and integrity.

In the circumstances of this case, Śląsk Wrocław, by refusing to comply with the obligations and standards arising from football regulations and the rules for organizing a match, acted in a manner inconsistent with the obligation to "strictly comply with norms" referred to in Article 18 of the Code. This obligation includes, in particular, the need to apply PZPN regulations in a uniform and reliable manner, without arbitrary derogations, particularly in areas concerning match organization and the exercise of the rights of Match participants. Such conduct should be assessed as a flagrant violation of Article 18 of the Code, as it constitutes a conscious departure from applicable PZPN standards. In particular, Śląsk Wrocław's conduct is inconsistent with Article 1 of Resolution No. II/85 of the PZPN Management Board, Articles 14 and 19 of Resolution No. III/39 of 31 March 2025 of the PZPN Management Board, as well as Article 14 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 item 1) of Resolution No. IX/140 of 3 and 7 July 2008 of the PZPN.

Article 19 – Principle of Integrity of Football Competitions

According to Article 19 of the Code, competition integrity encompasses both the pursuit of securing the competition within its planned scope and the requirement of loyalty, integrity, nobility, and compliance with the principles of fair play, with misconduct resulting in disciplinary action. The objective principle of football competition integrity implies the pursuit of securing the competition and competition within its planned scope. The subjective principle of football integrity is associated with the preservation of such fundamental concepts in the sport of football as loyalty, integrity, nobility, honesty, and compliance with reality and the principles of fair play.

Śląsk Wrocław's actions violate the integrity of the competition in a subjective sense, as they contradict the fundamental values ​​on which sporting competition is based, particularly loyalty and integrity in the relationships between entities participating in the competition. Integrity in this sense requires that clubs act in a predictable manner, in accordance with accepted rules and standards, and that they refrain from taking actions that could lead to selective shaping of the conditions of the match. Meanwhile, refusing to admit away team fans constitutes a deviation from standards that should be applied uniformly and consequently undermines trust in the equality and organizational integrity of the competition. At the same time, these actions have a measurable impact on the conditions of the sporting competition by depriving one team of the support of its fans, which affects not only the atmosphere of the match but also the comparability of conditions of matches within the same division. In practice, this leads to a situation in which one participant gains an organizational advantage resulting from a non-sporting decision, rather than from factors related to the on-field competition itself. This type of interference in the Match environment disturbs the balance of the conditions of its playing and constitutes a circumstance that objectively undermines the standards of fair competition within the competition.

Article 29 – Discrimination and defamation

Pursuant to Article 29 of the Code, it is unacceptable to violate the dignity or integrity of an individual or group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory, or defamatory words or actions, especially those undertaken for any reason relating to a person's characteristics or identity. Persons or entities to whom the provisions of the Code apply may not, under any circumstances, violate the dignity or integrity of the country, an individual, or a group of persons through contemptuous, discriminatory, or defamatory words or actions of any kind, especially those undertaken on the basis of race, color, ethnic, national, or social origin, gender, language, religion, political or other opinions, property, birth, sexual orientation, or any other reason.

In the Club's opinion, the practice of excluding Wisła Kraków fans from participating in the Match, understood as an action aimed at a specific group of people identifying with the Club, may be perceived as a form of stigmatizing and exclusionary treatment. This action not only effectively deprives this group of the opportunity to participate in the Match, but also perpetuates the message that fan affiliation may constitute a basis for different, less favorable treatment. In the context of professional football competitions, this is particularly undesirable, as it leads to the escalation of tensions, deepens antagonism, and negatively impacts the perception of standards for organizing sporting events. Such actions are incompatible with the standards of the Code and violate Article 29 of the Code, as their nature and consequences amount to a violation of the dignity and integrity of a specific group of people through actions with an exclusionary effect. It should be emphasized that Article Article 29 of the Code covers not only statements but also actions that, in practice, lead to discriminatory or stigmatizing treatment of an individual or group of people. In this context, refusing to allow Wisła Kraków fans to attend a Match constitutes conduct that requires an unequivocal assessment as contrary to the provisions of Article 29 of the Code.

It should also be noted that, pursuant to art. 3, section 10 of Resolution No. III/39 of 31 March 2025 of the Polish Football Association, the refusal to accommodate an organized group of Wisła Kraków fans for the duration of the Match to be played at Tarczyński Arena Wrocław constitutes an event of a xenophobic nature and degrading towards the fans, players and staff of Wisła Kraków. A xenophobic event is an act of hostility, hatred, discrimination or violence directed against a person or group of people because of their (actual or perceived) foreign origin, nationality, culture, language or religion, and in this case because of their affiliation with the Wisła Kraków Club and Wisła Kraków colours.

As a consequence of the above, it should be concluded that:

• Śląsk Wrocław violated the principle of fair play under Article 7 of the Code, because refusing to accept an organised group of visiting fans constitutes a deliberate deviation from the rules of competition organisation;
• failure to provide the required number of tickets violates Article 9 of the Code, leading to unequal treatment of a specific group of the football community,
• the exclusion of Wisła Kraków fans from participating in the Match violates Article 10 of the Code, as it constitutes a lack of respect for their attitude and club identification,
  Śląsk Wrocław violated Article 18 of the Code, because the refusal to fulfil organisational obligations constitutes a deviation from the strict observance of the norms of football law, in particular Article 1 of Resolution No. II/85 of the Management Board of the Polish Football Association, Articles 14 and 19 of Resolution No. III/39 of 31 March 2025 of the Management Board of the Polish Football Association and Article 14 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 point 1) of resolution No. IX/140 of 3 and 7 July 2008,
• the described actions violate Article 19 of the Code because they unjustifiably affect the conditions of the Match and undermine the integrity of the competition,
• the practice of excluding an organised group of Wisła Kraków fans should be assessed as a violation of Article 29 of the Code, as an action of a stigmatising nature towards a specific group of people.

In summary, in light of the above circumstances, there are no grounds to conclude that this case constitutes a "particularly justified case" within the meaning of Resolution No. II/85 of the Polish Football Association Management Board, which could justify a departure from the rule of admitting visiting team fans. The arguments presented by the organizer, including a general risk analysis, antagonisms between fan groups, and the classification of the match as a high-risk match, do not constitute a sufficient basis for restricting the rights of visiting team fans, especially in the absence of a relevant decision from a competent state or trade union body.

It should also be noted that the behavior of Wisła Kraków fans during numerous sporting events does not provide a basis for generalizing that their presence at the stadium automatically constitutes a threat to the safety of a mass gathering. Examples include the Polish Cup final on May 2, 2024, and the football match between Wisła Kraków and Ruch Chorzów on February 22, 2025, as part of the 21st round of the Betclic 1st League. Wisła Kraków fans cheered on their team with complete politeness and without fear of any danger. Additionally, on August 1, 2024, Wisła Kraków played a Europa League qualifying match, hosting SK Rapid Wien (away) in Vienna. A significant group of fans traveled to the match, supporting their club despite the vast distances traveled. SK Rapid Wien did not consider the arrival of an organized group of Wisła Kraków fans to pose any threat. Moreover, SK Rapid Vienna stated that the match took place without any disruptions, without any threats and in a pleasant atmosphere of cultured support. An identical situation occurred during the away match against Cercle Brugge.

In the opinion of Wisła Kraków, decisive action by the relevant Polish Football Association authorities in this matter is necessary both for the safety of the event's participants and to protect the integrity and credibility of the competition conducted under the auspices of the Polish Football Association. Therefore, this matter requires particularly thorough analysis by the relevant Polish Football Association authorities.

At the same time, I would like to emphasise that the aim of this application is to ensure that the match can be played in conditions that guarantee the safety of all participants of the sporting event and respect the rules of sports competition applicable in competitions organised by the Polish Football Association.

Jarosław the Royal

President of the Management Board of TS Wisła Kraków SA

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