Greek Soccer Fan Dies as Soccer Fans Clash in Athens

People enjoy the sea as a Greek flag waves at Alimos beach, in southern Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
People enjoy the sea as a Greek flag waves at Alimos beach, in southern Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
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Greek Soccer Fan Dies as Soccer Fans Clash in Athens

People enjoy the sea as a Greek flag waves at Alimos beach, in southern Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
People enjoy the sea as a Greek flag waves at Alimos beach, in southern Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

A fan died on Tuesday after being seriously injured in violence among fans of AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb soccer clubs in Athens, police said on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old man was stabbed several times in clashes among fans of both clubs outside AEK's football pitch in Nea Philadelphia late on Monday, a police official said.

Police said 100 to 120 Dinamo Zagreb fans showed up late on Monday near the AEK stadium, and where AEK fans had gathered.

Clashes broke out more than an hour after the visiting team's training session ended and the team had left the stadium, with fans from both sides hurling flares, makeshift explosives and stones, police said.
Three Greek and five Croatian fans were also injured and being treated, and 98 people were arrested over taking part in the violence, the police official added.
Dinamo condemned the incident. "Such events are not in line with the values ​​and ethics we promote as a club and community," the team said in a statement published on their website on Tuesday.
A Greek police spokesperson said that the UEFA Champions League qualifying-round match between AEK and visiting Dinamo Zagreb that was scheduled to take place at AEK's stadium on Tuesday was postponed.
Greek soccer has been plagued by violence on and off the pitch and authorities have repeatedly promised to clean up the game.
Fights between football fans are frequent before or after a game despite heavy fines.



Arsenal Must Be Ruthless to Earn Statement Win at Sporting, Says Arteta

Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
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Arsenal Must Be Ruthless to Earn Statement Win at Sporting, Says Arteta

Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)
Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta attends a press conference at Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2024. Arsenal will face Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on 26 November. (EPA)

Arsenal need to be ruthless to secure a win against Sporting and snap their negative run of form away from home in the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta said ahead of Tuesday's clash.

Winless in their last four European outings, Arsenal arrive in Portugal following a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan at San Siro earlier this month.

Arteta's side currently sit 12th in the new Champions League 36-team format, where the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16 and the next 16 enter a two-legged playoff to join them.

The Spaniard acknowledged that improving their away form is key to his team's chances in Europe's top-tier club competition.

"It's certainly something we have to improve. We have the right steps, and looking back at the way we played against Inter, we dominated the game and should have won," Arteta told a news conference on Monday.

"But the reality is you have to make it happen, and we didn't. Those steps are what we need to take next - be ruthless and much more efficient in the opposition box.

"We wanted to be higher (in the standings), but it's the position we are in right now.

"We have to play in a way that's going to give us a chance to win the game and fight to do it as quickly as possible. Tomorrow we have a great opportunity to do that."

Sporting, who thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in their last outing, are enjoying an outstanding campaign, remaining unbeaten in second place with 10 points.

Arteta acknowledged the Portuguese champions pose a major challenge for Arsenal but also offer an opportunity for a morale-boosting triumph.

"The run they are on is incredible, which tells you it's not only about their qualities but their ambition and the team energy they have. That's the great challenge we have," he said.

"To come here tomorrow, make a statement, and show that we are capable against this kind of opponent by being ourselves and winning the game."