AEK-Dinamo Zagreb suspended over death of Greek teenager after ultras brawl

One man has been killed and eight others injured in a huge brawl between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb fans in the Greek capital, a Greek police spokeswoman told 'EFE' on Wednesday.

The violent disturbances took place on the night of Monday to Tuesday, on the eve of a UEFA Champions League qualifier between the two teams, which was to be played on Tuesday and was eventually called off.

The fatal victim is a 29-year-old AEK fan, while five Croatians and three Greeks remain in hospital, the spokeswoman said. In addition, a 13-year-old girl is in serious condition with head injuries. Police arrested 98 people, including 92 Croats, one Austrian, one Bosnian, one Albanian, one German and two Greeks.

According to local media, the fatal victim was hospitalised after suffering serious injuries from several stab wounds, but doctors were unable to save his life. Although Croatian fans had been banned from travelling from Croatia to Greece, a group of between 100 and 120 Dinamo Zagreb ultras arrived in Greece on Monday in several private cars.

Greek media report that shortly before midnight, about a hundred Croatian team supporters attacked Greek fans who were in cafes in front of the AEK Opap Arena stadium, where they had come to watch the team train. In videos circulating on social media, several people with their faces covered can be seen attacking the Greek team's fans.

The Dinamo Zagreb players, who had also trained at the Opap Arena, had to be taken to their hotel under police escort, according to private television station 'SKAI'.

 

August 7, 2023