AEK - Dinamo match postponed, fan dies in riots, six injured

(Patria) - The world of sports was shaken by news from Greece. Riots broke out in Athens last night between fans of AEK and Dinamo Zagreb. One fan of the Greek club lost his life, and six other people were injured.

Dinamo officially commented after the riots in Athens on Monday...

“GNK Dinamo strongly condemns the riots that occurred last night in Athens, in which, according to reports from the Greek police and Greek and Croatian media, rioters from Croatia were involved in an incident with fans of the Greek football club AEK. Such events are not in line with the values and ethics that we promote as a club and community,” stated the official press release from the Maksimir club after the rampage by Dinamo fans in which a Greek fan lost his life.

“As a sports organization, we are always committed to promoting fair play, sportsmanship, and a positive atmosphere at stadiums. Riots not only endanger the safety of everyone present but also damage the reputation of football as a sport that connects people and cultures.

We express our deep concern about this incident. Unfortunately, one person lost their life during the riots. GNK Dinamo hereby wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased person. We reiterate and urge all Dinamo fans not to travel to the match in Greece, given that UEFA, in agreement with the police, has decided that both matches will be played without away fans.

GNK Dinamo remains committed to creating an environment where love for sports is expressed in a positive way, through unity, respect, and cooperation,” Dinamo conveyed.

The Greek police announced that Dinamo fans in Athens acted in cooperation with a Greek fan group.

According to the Greek police, a group of about a hundred Dinamo Zagreb fans, along with Greek associates, were near AEK fans. Incidents followed between the two groups, involving the throwing of flares and improvised incendiary devices, stones, and the use of clubs.

The incident occurred about an hour and a half after the visiting team's training session, after the guests left the field under police escort.

The fight was quickly suppressed by the police, who arrested 98 people involved in the incident.

Another witness to the hooligan rampage on Monday evening in Athens near the AEK stadium has come forward.

One of the eyewitnesses to the riots in which a Greek fan was fatally stabbed recounted his experience to ANT1. He is the owner of a cafe near the scene.

“A young man approached me and told me that the Croats would arrive in half an hour and that I should gather people and get them out. And indeed, they appeared in half an hour.”

Around 10 PM, according to his testimony, hooligans in “hoodies” with clubs appeared. They allegedly smashed shops nearby.

“They also had wooden clubs, I've never seen anything like it in my life. They were coming from all sides, in several groups. I saw an injured man with a bloody head, an ambulance took him away.”

The police, the witness points out, arrived after half an hour.

(N1/Agencies)