On December 26, 2023, Maciej Kurowski went to the “Gramofon” club, where he was beaten by fanatics of Podlasie Biała-Podlaska. It can be said that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, as he tried to separate his friend who had a conflict with the girlfriend of one of the hooligans. And that's it football player got hit because he was painfully beaten by men who were then serving as soldiers in the Military Police. The entire incident took place on eyes police.
A 19-year-old footballer's nightmare. “We felt like we were back in the '90s.”
Journalist Jakub Białek published extensive video material on the channel TV came onin which he talks about everything that happened. – It felt like a crime story from the 1990s – he said. Even though the soldiers ultimately lost their jobs, they still tried to persuade Kurowski to withdraw his testimony. – They wanted them to feel good, so that there would be no consequences and the matter would go away. But I didn't lie. I told the truth. They wrote to me that I would ruin my life and career – said the person concerned.
As it turned out, the club where competitor he grew up, Podlasie Biała Podlaska sided with the fanatics. – The presidents told me that I could look for a new club and that I would no longer play in Podlasie. The fans' opinion was more important. Not only did I have to look for a new club, but I also had to pay PLN 2,500 equivalent to leave – explained Kurowski.
And although the situation is not over yet, he recalls that for some time he felt terrible. – I am a victim of beating. I didn't do anything wrong. I keep thinking about this situation, even though I would like to forget about it and distance myself, he admitted. – At least once a week there was a situation where someone insulted me on the street. I'm riding my bike, I go to Biedronka and I'm being insulted. What for? I go for a walk with my girlfriend, same thing. The situation was difficult, but somehow I managed. I will be stronger, he said.
Shortly afterwards, Kurowski was returned to Podlasie because there was a problem with youth players. But the hooligans didn't forget. “Kurowski, you chose the path of a loser, your career ends in Podlasie” – this is what one of the banners hanging in the stands looked like. There were also chants emphasizing that the player was “f**ked up”.
Last month he moved to Stomil Olsztyn, but the local fans found out everything about him just as quickly. – I can't play in either the first or second team, it's not comfortable. I only played one match for the reserves, before they found out I was Maciej Kurowski. After that, I was told I couldn't play, he revealed.
What a gesture of Jarosław Król. “Let me lose”
When Kurowski got along with Stomilhe was assured that he would play. However, on the last day of the transfer window, the authorities changed their mind. There was supposed to be an explanatory meeting with the fans, but the situation did not improve.
– Maciek was not liked by the fans. We are trying to explain this situation. There is no shortage of problems in Stomil, and we don't want to do anything against the fans. They, apart from history, are the main value of the club. (…) We have other problems and it is being delayed for a while – explained Piotr Gajewski, a member of the supervisory board who informally serves as Stomil's president.
When asked: “Wouldn't it be better for everyone if he played, since you pay for his contract”, he replied briefly. – I don't know if it's better. He trains, helps to thicken the training pitch, so he fulfills his role – he added. Unexpectedly, the president of Wisła, Jarosław Królewski, decided to speak out and offered help to the player.
“Fine, let me lose. We can't help with context.” transferbut if the player is responsible for 'densifying the training pitch', I will be happy to privately pay for his one-year terminated contract, or for psychological or other assistance so that he can continue training normally in another place. Thanks to this, the club that believes in him and employs him will not have to incur costs this season,” he concluded.