AEK Athens won their first Greek Cup final since 2002 on Saturday as they defeated Atromitos 3-0. It was by all accounts a one sided affair, but not bad tempered, that is not until the final whistle had blown. At that point, AEK Athens fans invaded the pitch and fought a pitched battle with Atromitos players and fans ans they scramble to escape the melee. There have even been reports of flare guns being point at the VIP areas and players families as they fled the chaos. At some point the riot police moved in under a hails of sign boards and seat fragments to restore order. Atromitos president Giorgios Spanos later said that the riot had “set Greek football back by another hundred years.” I’m going to agree with that statement.
Not since the recent Serb hooliganism at the European qualifiers has football been marred with such violence, and in further developments today it seems Atromitos supporters have burned down AEK’s club offices and two cars in retaliation. Hopefully, this stupidity will be brought under control by the Greek FA in the next week as the Greek government have threaten to pull all funding for soccer events. Maybe its the kick in the behind they need…
Written by: Matthew Wall, editor, soccerprose.com
