NYON: The Champions League qualifying round tie between AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb in Greece was postponed hours before kickoff by UEFA after a 29-year-old fan died of stab wounds after violent clashes between rival fans in Athens.

Greek police said the AEK fan, had been stabbed several times outside AEK’s Nea Philadelphia stadium.

Trouble erupted 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. Three Greek and five Croat fans were also injured and 98 arrests were made.

A European federation statement said:

The match planned to be played tonight in Athens has been postponed.

UEFA deplores in the strongest possible terms the appalling incidents that took place in Athens last night and resulted in the loss of a life. While expressing our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim, to AEK Athens FC and its fans, we would like to reiterate that violence has no place in our sport and we expect that those responsible for this terrible act be arrested and consigned to justice in the shortest delay.

Following yesterday’s violence and in consultation with the local authorities, UEFA has decided that the conditions for the match between AEK Athens FC and GNK Dinamo to go ahead tonight are not met.

In line with article 26.01 of the Regulations of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24, the match planned to be played tonight at Agia Sofia Stadium in Athens is hereby postponed. The match GNK Dinamo (CRO) vs AEK Athens FC (GRE) in Zagreb will be played on Tuesday 15 August 2023 (20:00 CET) as scheduled.

UEFA is in contact with both clubs to confirm the date for the rescheduled match between AEK Athens FC (GRE) and GNK Dinamo (CRO) i.e. either on Friday 18 August 2023 or on Saturday 19 August 2023.

The previously communicated decision regarding no away supporters for both matches is maintained and all necessary measures shall be implemented.

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