In Greece, football matches will take place behind closed doors until February 12 to stem violence

In an attempt to stem the violence which regularly punctuates Greek sport, no more supporters will be welcome in the stands of football championship matches in the coming weeks. “All matches of the Greek championship will take place behind closed doors for the next two months, until February 12”announced Monday, December 11, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis.

This decision follows the violence that occurred on December 7 on the sidelines of a volleyball match in Athens, during which a police officer was seriously injured. “For many years, criminals posing as fans have committed serious crimes, seriously injuring and killing”Mr. Marinakis was indignant.

He specified that the ban on the presence of supporters in the stands could also apply “on a case-by-case basis to European matches of Greek teams” who are participating this week in the Europa League (C3) and the Europa Conference League (C4). The C3 match between Olympiakos and the Serbian club Backa Topola will take place without spectators, the spokesperson said.

High-definition cameras and electronic entry systems with verification of supporters’ identities will also be installed in all stadiums, according to the government.

Referees strike to protest against violence

Last Thursday, a police officer was seriously injured during violence on the sidelines of a volleyball match between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. Aged 31, he was injured in his thigh and, suffering from a hemorrhage, was hospitalized. His state of health is still ” critical “according to authorities.

The violence took place outside the Melina-Merkouri stadium, in Rentis, a suburb of Athens. Police arrested more than 400 people, the majority of whom were released on Saturday.

An 18-year-old Greek boy, accused of throwing a distress flare which seriously injured the police officer, was arrested on Sunday. Pursued in particular for “attempted murder”he must be presented in court on Thursday, December 14.

Violence has plagued Greek sport for several years, particularly football matches. The stands become outlets where aggression is based on rivalries between clubs, fueled by owners with interests beyond the limits of the field and who do not hesitate to exacerbate tensions.

Last week, football championship referees therefore announced their intention to carry out a strike « from 14^e daytime “ championship, which begins on Saturday, “until conditions become normal for [leur] physical integrity “.

In February 2022, a 19-year-old young man was killed in Thessaloniki by hooligans from a rival club. In August 2023, another 29-year-old AEK Athens supporter was murdered during an attack by Croatian and Greek hooligans in the capital.

Last year, the government had already increased the maximum prison sentence from six months to five years for perpetrators of unrest, without however succeeding in reducing the violence.