Violence mars Champions League qualifier between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb

The Champions League qualifier match between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb has been postponed following the death of a Greek supporter who was stabbed during clashes between rival fans outside AEK’s Agia Sophia Stadium. The incident occurred on Monday evening in Athens and resulted in the arrest of 98 individuals while eight others were injured. UEFA, European football’s governing body, expressed its deepest sympathy to the family of the victim and condemned the violence, stating that it has “no place in our sport.” They also called for the perpetrators to be arrested and brought to justice. The return leg of the tie in Croatia will proceed as scheduled, while the match in Athens will be rescheduled for a later date. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of hooliganism in Greek football, with the government having recently increased the maximum sentence for crimes related to fan violence. The tragic death of a supporter last year also led to life sentences for seven defendants involved in his murder. It is imperative for authorities to address this problem and ensure the safety of fans attending football matches.