Champions League match postponed as Greek fan dies aged 29 after night clashes between supporters of AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb…with 98 arrested and eight injured
- There were violent clashes in Athens the night before a Champions League match
- A 29-year-old Greek supporter has died and another eight people were injured
- The European match of AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb has been postponed
A 29-year-old Greek fan has died after a night of violence between supporters of AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb.
The two sides were due to meet in a Champions League qualifier tonight, but UEFA have confirmed the match has been postponed due to the overnight clashes.
As reported by CNNthe man was stabbed multiple times outside AEK’s OPAP Arena, and the club’s flag has been photographed at half-mast this morning, with fans laying flowers at the site where the man died.
Eight other fans were injured – with TV channel ERT say a child was hit in the head by a rock, while the Greek police have confirmed that they have arrested 98 people.
Police said between 100 and 120 Dinamo Zagreb fans showed up late Monday near the OPAP arena where AEK fans had also gathered.
An AEK Athens flag is flown at half-mast outside their stadium after nighttime clashes between rival supporters that led to the death of a 29-year-old supporter
The fan was reportedly stabbed several times and photos have been taken of Greek police collecting evidence outside the stadium after 98 people were reportedly arrested
The clashes continued for more than an hour after the visiting team’s training ended and the team left the stadium.
It is said that fans from both sides “threw flares, improvised explosive devices and rocks.”
After the fan’s death, the Greek authorities had requested that all supporters be excluded from the match between AEK Athens and Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb at the Opap Arena.
Dinamo Zagreb condemned the incident in a statement that read: “GNK Dinamo strongly condemns the riots that took place in Athens last night, in which, according to the reports of the Greek police and Greek and Croatian media, rioters from Croatia were involved in an incident involving fans of the Greek AEK football club.
“Such events are inconsistent with the values and ethics we promote as a club and community. We express our deep concern about this incident. Unfortunately, one person lost his life during the riots. GNK Dinamo would like to express its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
A man lays flowers at the spot where the fan died in the Athens suburb of Nea Philadelphia
The OPAP Arena was supposed to host Champions League football tonight, but the match has been postponed due to the clashes
Once again, we remind and invite all Dinamo fans not to travel to the match in Greece, as UEFA, in consultation with the police, has decided that both matches will be played without visiting fans.
“GNK Dinamo remains committed to creating an environment where the love of sport is expressed in a positive way through togetherness, respect and cooperation.”
Dinamo fans have already been officially banned on the basis of an earlier ruling by UEFA.
UEFA says what was supposed to be the second leg in Zagreb next Wednesday will now be the first leg. The second leg will take place in Athens on Friday 18 or Saturday 19.