In the wake of intense altercations between football supporters, a fan of Greek club AEK Athens was tragically stabbed and later succumbed to his injuries, Greek police confirmed. The violent confrontations erupted in the suburbs of Athens between AEK supporters and those of Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. The clashes resulted in nearly a hundred arrests.
"Serious incidents took place outside the Nea Filadelfia stadium. A young Greek man was stabbed to death," reported the local authorities. This violent episode has left eight individuals, including three Greeks and five Croatians, seriously injured. Public television channel ERT provided additional details, stating that among the injured was a minor who "was hit in the head with a rock" and remains hospitalized.
The escalation of violence came just before the scheduled first leg of the Champions League at the AEK stadium in Nea Filadelfia. Police sources confirmed that the 22-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital after the stabbing but unfortunately passed away due to the severity of his injuries.
The series of events saw Greek law enforcement making as many as 96 arrests, continuing their operations into the early hours of Tuesday. "An investigation has been opened and those arrested are to be heard by the prosecutor on Tuesday," the Greek news agency Ana stated. The same outlet reported the presence of approximately 100 hooligans associated with the Croatian club in the Greek capital.
This is not the first time Greece has witnessed such fatal football-related violence. Recalling a similar incident, in February 2022, a 19-year-old fan named Alkis Kampanos lost his life in Thessaloniki after violent confrontations post a match between rival Greek teams PAOK FC and Aris FC. Subsequently, seven individuals involved in the incident were convicted of intentional homicide and received life sentences last July.
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