After fights between opposing fans outside AEK’s Agia Sophia Stadium in a northern Athens neighborhood on Monday night, the Greek fan, 29, passed away.
In addition to the 98 arrests, according to the police, eight additional people were hurt.
Visiting fans were prohibited from attending both legs of the third-round qualifying match due to security reasons by Uefa.
The match had to be postponed, according to the organization in charge of controlling European football, and the choice was taken after consulting with the local government.
The horrific incidents that occurred in Athens last night and led to a life loss are something that Uefa strongly condemns, the organization said.
“We would like to underline that violence has no place in our sport and we demand that those responsible for this awful act be apprehended and committed to justice with the shortest delay,” the statement reads. “While extending our greatest sympathies to the family of the victim, to AEK Athens FC and its fans.The game in Athens will go place on Saturday, August 19, and the second leg will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, August 15, in Croatia.
The conflict, according to Greek police, began 90 minutes after Croatian team Dinamo finished a pre-game training session at the stadium in Nea Philadelphia and left while being escorted by law enforcement.
At the stadium, between 100 and 120 Dinamo supporters arrived and got into a fight with the AEK supporters already present.
Both sides’ fans “threw flares, made-up incendiary devices, objects, stones, and also used make-shift bats” during the match.
Police stated that they had launched a preliminary inquiry and were looking to identify the offenders.
In a statement, Dinamo Zagreb stated that “GNK Dinamo strongly condemns the riots that took place last night in Athens.”
Such events are inconsistent with the ethics and values that our club and community espouse.
We express our extreme worry regarding this occurrence. GNK Dinamo would like to offer the deceased’s family its heartfelt sympathies.
Greek football has been plagued by hooliganism in recent years, and last year, following another fatal stabbing, the government increased the maximum term for offenses involving fan violence from six months to five years.
19-year-old Alkis Kampanos was fatally injured in a brawl between Aris and PAOK supporters in Thessaloniki in February 2022.
Seven people were found guilty of his murder last month and given life sentences. For complicity, five more people were given sentences totaling more than 19 years.
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