ATHENS, GREECE: Authorities in Greece have ordered the detention of 105 soccer fans suspected of involvement in violent clashes that led to the tragic death of a 29-year-old AEK Athens supporter. The clashes, which occurred in the Greek capital, involved Croatian supporters and resulted in the cancellation of a Champions League qualifier between AEK and Dinamo Zagreb.
The clashes took place outside AEK’s Opap Arena on August 7th and were marked by the use of wooden clubs and metal bats by Croatian supporters who attacked bystanders. The violence led to the death of Michalis Katsouris due to a stab wound, while 10 others sustained injuries.
Following a meticulous investigation, three examining magistrates and two prosecutors conducted questioning in three separate batches — 30 fans on Friday, 40 on Saturday, and 35 on Sunday. The authorities subsequently made daily decisions on whether to detain the suspects pending trial. One of the suspects, who is injured and under police protection , provided a deposition to a visiting magistrate.
The detained fans, comprising 102 Croatian citizens and three Greeks, have vehemently denied any involvement in the fatal stabbing incident. They now face a total of 11 charges, including four felonies such as premeditated murder and membership in a criminal organization, as well as several misdemeanours.
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities will be examining cellphone signals at the two locations where the clashes occurred — outside AEK’s stadium and a nearby metro station. This scrutiny aims to uncover any additional involvement in the incident.
The repercussions of the violence were not limited to the tragic events themselves. The Champions League qualifier between AEK and Dinamo Zagreb, scheduled for the week following the clashes, was cancelled by UEFA, Europe’s soccer governing body, due to the severity of the violence.
In light of these events, UEFA’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, is set to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, will also include discussions with ministers, the head of Greece’s Football Federation, and the owners of the country’s four largest soccer clubs — AEK, Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, and PAOK Thessaloniki.
The upcoming UEFA Super Cup final between Manchester City and Sevilla, scheduled to be held at Olympiakos’ stadium near Piraeus, will undoubtedly attract additional attention in the midst of these developments. The tragic events in Athens have sparked a broader conversation about fan behaviour, safety measures, and the role of soccer organizations in maintaining a secure environment for all stakeholders.
