Poland accuses Netherlands of 'prejudice' in Alkmaar football spat

It was the latest round of a spat between the countries that began when Dutch police arrested two players from the Polish club amid violent scenes at a Europa Conference League clash in Alkmaar on Thursday.

The Polish foreign ministry said on Saturday that "unacceptable situations have arisen in which Polish spectators, supporters, officials and players of the Legia Warsaw club have been subjected to physical and verbal abuse".

"It is clear from the unequivocal testimony of the victims that the actions of the mayor of Alkmaar and the local police in particular can be interpreted as being characterised by national prejudice," the ministry said in a statement after the meeting in Warsaw with ambassador Daphne Bergsma.

Dutch police said in a statement on Friday that they had arrested the players after they had assaulted two AZ Alkmaar staff members "to such an extent that they needed medical attention".