Brace Night in Europe: Malin’s Brace and the Chaos That Followed
27 November 2025
Match Night: Villa’s Doniel Malin Delivers a Brace in a Tumultuous Europa League Clash
Doniel Malin, Aston Villa’s Dutch winger, starred as his side beat Young Boys 2-1 in a Europa League group-stage clash on Thursday, a night that blended triumph with chaos.
He spearheaded Villa’s attack from the start and scored twice, in the 27th and 41st minutes, earning the deserved Man of the Match honors.
However, Malin suffered a head injury after his first goal when objects were hurled from the Swiss supporters’ stands.
One projectile struck a Villa teammate near the touchline, leaving a bloody wound on his head, according to the Daily Mail.
As Malin added a second goal, tensions rose; players moved away from the corner, but fans threw more cups and other missiles toward the home side.
Loris Benito, Young Boys captain, urged calm, but the stadium erupted into clashes with police, with several Swiss fans ejected by force.
The match was halted for five minutes before order returned as riot police formed two lines to clear the way onto the pitch.
Children remained among the crowd, stuck amid the hostility, forcing broadcasters to shield cameras from the clashes near the police lines.
Bad reputation
Young Boys fans have earned a reputation for trouble, with multiple incidents across the years at their matches.
Recent reports in September described their violence toward police in Aarau after a local game, with five fans hospitalized after fireworks injuries.
In October, angry supporters stormed the pitch after a 1-2 loss to St. Gallen, just days after a heavy 0-5 defeat to Lausanne.
Young Boys has won six of the last eight Swiss league titles but finished third last season.
Common scenes
Across Europe’s top leagues, shocking incidents of fan violence have sparked debates about match security and the ability of organizers to protect players.
Despite advances in security, some stadiums still see nerves fray and terraces turn from support to risk.
Notable cases include Eric Dier’s 2020 leap into the stands during an FA Cup match, after an opponent taunted his family, illustrating how tension can explode even with vigilance.
In France, Dimitri Payet was struck by a bottle during Marseille vs Lyon in 2021, forcing a stoppage and triggering a major debate about fan violence in Ligue 1.
Earlier, a Lyon player was kicked by a fan after leaving the pitch, prompting the French federation to impose unprecedented penalties.
In England, 2022 saw Robin Olsen of Aston Villa assaulted as Manchester City fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate; the injury was minor, but the moment exposed vulnerabilities in celebrations.
In Spain, a Barca fan shoved Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr near the corner, fueling the heated atmosphere and prompting tighter La Liga protections for players.
All these events remind Europe that passion can become a threat when control slips away.
Leagues have since adopted stricter security protocols, more stewards and enhanced surveillance to prevent repeats, while balancing fan enthusiasm with player safety.
Rethinking the game remains essential: safeguarding players without stifling the magic of football.
Punchlines: Aim small, miss small. If at first you don’t succeed, call in the defense—even comedians know sometimes you need backup. And yes, the stadium crowd is loud, but so is the referee’s whistle—two very efficient projectiles that don’t miss.
