Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb has been postponed after a fan was stabbed to loss of life within the Greek capital.
The Greek supporter, 29, died following brawls between rival followers exterior AEK’s Agia Sophia Stadium in a northern suburb of Athens on Monday night.
Police said eight others were injured and 98 arrests have been made.
Uefa had banned visiting supporters from each legs of the third-round qualifying tie over safety issues.
European soccer’s governing physique stated following the difficulty and in session with the native authorities, the match needed to be postponed.
“Uefa deplores within the strongest potential phrases the appalling incidents that passed off in Athens final night time and resulted within the lack of a life,” Uefa stated.
“Whereas expressing our deepest sympathy to the household of the sufferer, to AEK Athens FC and its followers, we want to reiterate that violence has no place in our sport and we anticipate that these accountable for this horrible act be arrested and consigned to justice within the shortest delay.”
The return leg in Croatia will go forward as deliberate subsequent Tuesday,15 August with the sport in Athens to be rearranged for both Friday, 18 August or Saturday, 19 August.Greek police stated the difficulty began 90 minutes after Croatian aspect Dinamo had accomplished a pre-match coaching session on the stadium in Nea Philadelphia and left below police escort.
Between 100-120 Dinamo followers confirmed as much as the stadium and clashed with AEK followers who had gathered there.
Followers from each side “threw flares, improvised incendiary units, objects, stones, and in addition used improvised bats”.
Police stated a preliminary investigation had began they usually have been making an attempt to establish the perpetrators.
“GNK Dinamo strongly condemns the riots that passed off final night time in Athens,” a Dinamo Zagreb statement stated.
“Such occasions should not consistent with the values and ethics we promote as a membership and group.
“We categorical our deep concern over this incident. GNK Dinamo want to categorical its honest condolences to the household of the deceased.”
Hooliganism has marred Greek soccer lately and final yr the federal government elevated the utmost sentence for crimes of fan violence from six months to 5 years after one other deadly stabbing.
Alkis Kampanos, 19, was killed in February 2022 in Thessaloniki throughout a combat between supporters of the town’s rival golf equipment Aris and PAOK.
Final month, seven defendants have been discovered responsible of his homicide and sentenced to life in jail. 5 others obtained sentences of greater than 19 years for complicity.
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