Champions League Match Postponed After Greek Football Fan Stabbed to Death During Brawl with Croatian Fans
In a shocking turn of events, a Champions League match in Greece has been postponed following the unfortunate demise of a football fan amidst a violent clash with supporters of the Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. European football’s governing body, UEFA, announced this development on Tuesday, marking a sombre moment for the sport.
The incident took place in the Nea Filadelfeia neighbourhood on the outskirts of Athens, the home of AEK Athens football club’s stadium, where a Champions League qualifying match between AEK and Dinamo Zagreb was scheduled to occur on Tuesday. However, the tragedy that unfolded the previous night led to the game’s postponement, as confirmed by UEFA.
Greek police disclosed that the fan’s death resulted from being “injured by a sharp object.” This disturbing occurrence led to a series of arrests, with a total of 96 individuals detained. Among those apprehended, 87 were Croats, five were Greeks, and there was one person each from Austria, Germany, Bosnia, and Albania.
The victim, identified as a 22-year-old supporter of AEK, was not the only casualty. Eight other individuals sustained injuries during the altercation, with one minor suffering a head wound caused by a stone, according to reports by Greek state broadcaster ERT.
The incident was further marred by the fact that a group of organized Dinamo fans, numbering between 150 and 200, managed to enter Greece despite a pre-existing ban on fan movement from Croatia ahead of the match. The situation escalated in the Nea Filadelfeia neighbourhood, painting a grim picture of fan violence in the world of football.
UEFA expressed its condemnation of the tragic events, highlighting the loss of life and the broader issue of violence within the sport. The governing body extended its heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and the AEK Athens FC community. Additionally, UEFA emphasized that violence has no place in football and called for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the incident.
As a consequence of this unfortunate incident, the first-leg match has been rescheduled to take place on either Friday, August 18, or Saturday, August 19. The originally planned second leg of the Champions League qualification tie will proceed next week in Zagreb, as initially intended. UEFA reiterated its stance on the matter, confirming that no away fans would be allowed to attend either of the two games, aiming to prevent further disturbances and ensure the safety of all involved.
