August 8 – In a dramatic transfer, UEFA has postponed tonight’s Champions League third qualifying spherical conflict between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb following the demise of a 29-year-old Greek fan caught up in in a single day clashes between rival supporters.
The sufferer was stabbed a number of occasions close to AEK’s coaching floor late on Monday, main Greek authorities to name for the sport to be performed behind closed doorways.
Clashes broke out greater than an hour after Dinamo’s coaching session ended, with followers from each side hurling flares, makeshift explosives and stones. Three Greek and 5 Croatian followers have been additionally injured and 98 arrested, police mentioned.
In a press release UEFA mentioned it “deplores within the strongest potential phrases the appalling incidents that happened in Athens final night time and resulted within the lack of a life. “
“Whereas expressing our deepest sympathy to the household of the sufferer, to AEK Athens FC and its followers, we wish to reiterate that violence has no place in our sport and we count on that these liable for this horrible act be arrested and consigned to justice within the shortest delay. “
“Following yesterday’s violence and in session with the native authorities, UEFA has determined that the circumstances for the match between AEK Athens FC and GNK Dinamo to go forward tonight are usually not met.”
UEFA mentioned that what was going to be the second leg in Zagreb subsequent Wednesday will now be the primary leg. The second leg will likely be held in Athens on Friday 18 or Saturday 19. Away followers will likely be banned for each fixtures.
Greek soccer has been tormented by violence on and off the pitch and authorities have repeatedly promised to wash up the sport. Final yr the federal government elevated the utmost sentence for crimes of fan violence from six months to 5 years after one other stabbing demise.
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