All first division football matches in Greece will be played without fans in stadiums for the next two months, in the latest crackdown on fan violence after last week’s sports-related riot left a police officer with life-threatening injuries.
The government said on Monday it was introducing emergency legislation to make the fan ban effective immediately. Last weekend’s professional football matches were postponed following a series of violent incidents at matches and riots last week, which took place outside a volleyball match and were believed to have been led by organized groups of fans .
The 31-year-old policeman injured in the clashes remains hospitalized in a coma after a flare hit his left leg, causing severe bleeding and cardiac arrest. “This homicidal attack on a police officer is not the first incident of extreme fan violence in recent years. Criminals posing as fans commit serious crimes, seriously injure and kill people“The government spokesperson told the press, Pavlos Marinakis.
He said that the 14 clubs competing in the first division of the Super League They will have to install surveillance cameras inside stadiums and use personalized ticketing systems that require the holder to show identification upon entry. before admitting fans. Security systems, including a network of high-resolution surveillance cameras inside the stadiums, must meet standards established by UEFAthe body that governs football in Europe, according to Marinakis.
The young man, who has not yet been identified, appeared in court on Monday after being escorted away in handcuffs by police. He was given until Thursday to prepare his defense.
Violence has plagued Greek football for decades despite repeated efforts to crack down on fan associations blamed for the attacks, most of them outside stadiums.
He Olympiakosunder the direction of new Portuguese coach Carlos Carvalhal, will face Serbian Backa Topola at home on Thursday in European League no fans as a result of the decision.
But the Greek clubs Panathinaikos and PAOK They will finish their matches in Europe with the fans. He Panathinaikos accepting of Maccabi Haifa in Athens on Thursday in the Europa League and PAOK against HJK Helsinki in Meeting League also on Thursday in Thessaloniki.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
