Fans clash violently in Athens: 74 detained, multiple injuries
Shocking events occurred before a friendly match between Panathinaikos Athens and AEK Larnaca in Greece. Fans fought among themselves and others; one was even shot, and another was likely stabbed. A total of 74 people were detained.
7:34 AM EDT, July 15, 2024
We’ve already become accustomed to how fans from Greece can behave. After all, we’ve often heard of scandals involving fans from that country. Now it turns out they’ve put on another “performance.”
Greek clubs are preparing for the new season, so a friendly match between Panathinaikos Athens and AEK Larnaca (3:1) occurred recently. In the 65th minute, Polish goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski entered the field for Panathinaikos.
This match, however, would have gone unnoticed in many foreign media. But the pre-match events told a different story.
The Greek media reported a fight exclusively among Panathinaikos fans, not involving both teams. The conflict was so intense that shots were fired at one point.
Police detained a total of 74 people, five of whom were minors. Moreover, the youngest participant was only 13 years old. The reasons for the conflict are unknown.
Due to the fight, many fans of the Athens club were injured, especially two people: a 38-year-old who was shot with a gun and a 22-year-old who was likely stabbed.
"A total of 74 people were detained in the case, against whom case files were opened each time on charges of organizing criminal activity, disturbing public order, attempted murder, dangerous bodily harm, damage to foreign property, possession of weapons, flares, drugs, and for violating sports law," reads a statement from the Greek police quoted by the Greek portal gazzetta.gr.
