Champions League: 5 Croatian football fans arrested after Greek fan killed in violent clash outside Athens stadium
- Qualifier between Panathinaikos and Dinamo Zagreb cancelled after Greek fan dies outside AEK Athens’ stadium
- Suspects detained after trying to board ferry to Italy, 90 more people reportedly involved
Police in Greece have arrested five Croatian nationals reportedly involved in deadly football fan violence, apprehending them as they attempted to leave the country.
The arrests were announced on Wednesday, one day after a 29-year-old Greek fan was stabbed to death outside AEK Athens’ stadium, prompting the cancellation of a Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb.
The five suspects were detained in the northwestern port of Igoumenitsa as they prepared to board a ferry bound for Italy, police said. More than 90 other people are expected to appear before a magistrate in Athens for their supposed involvement in attacks that left 10 people injured, with four still in hospital.
The are fears more violence will break out on Wednesday when Panathinaikos face Marseille in a Champions League qualifier, which was set to go ahead under strict security measures at the Leoforos Stadium in Athens.
Greek Public Order Minister Giannis Oikonomou said the police had made “tragic errors” in failing to stop the travelling Croatian supporters and ignoring tips on fan violence. He dismissed calls from opposition parties to resign and suspended seven police officers, including several in senior positions, pending an investigation and their reassignment or dismissal.
