Fans attack TV crew before second-tier soccer game
Another violent incident cast a cloud over Greek soccer on Sunday as five people were taken to hospital after a group attacked a television crew ahead of the Iraklis vs Larissa match in Greece’s second-tier Football League.
The employees attacked at the Kaftanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki, who suffered minor injuries according to local media reports, worked for cable channel OTE TV.
“This is another example of a severe episode of blind soccer fan violence, with the victims simply ordinary employees and technicians who were attacked while preparing the media coverage of the Football League match between Iraklis and AEL Larissa,» Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis told reporters.
“The government condemns these morbid phenomena and assures supporters that the legislative work it is going through is aiming to eliminate the root causes of the problems afflicting Greek soccer… we hope that all will realize the gravity of the situation and support our legislative work, even if some may have reservations about aspects of the bill.”
Kontonis has already suspended all matches in Greece for a one-week spell once this season and imposed a two-week supporter ban in recent weeks as the state cracks down on violence.
[Reuters]
