Polish President Karol Nawrocki pardons Legia Warsaw fan leader “Staruch”

President Karol Nawrocki exercised the presidential pardon to lift a two‑year stadium ban imposed on Piotr “Staruch” Staruchowicz, the leader of Legia Warsaw’s supporter group. The ban had been issued after Staruch was found to have breached stadium regulations during an away match in Lublin, despite holding an accreditation.

The decision sparked heated debate among politicians, media and security officials, who accused the president of favouring football fans. Staruch publicly thanked the president, announced his return to the stands for upcoming matches in Kielce and against Śląsk, and reiterated his commitment to the Legia fan community. Nawrocki’s own background as a former Lechia Gdańsk supporter was noted in coverage of the pardon.