With these measures, says Justice Minister Costas Tsiaras, the government is closing loopholes hooligans. So far, violent football offenders in Greece have been charged, but have generally remained free, even after convictions in the first instance. Some of the necessary deposits were paid by fan clubs.
Spiral of violence in Greek football
Greek football has been in a spiral of violence for years. This month, the murder of a football fan in Thessaloniki shook the public eye. followers of PAOK According to the investigation, Saloniki had randomly approached a 19-year-old and asked if he was a fan of local rival Aris Salonikis. When he said yes, he was of the PAOK–hooligans stabbed and died a short time later.
Twelve people were arrested, one of whom is charged with murder. In a subsequent raid, more than 570 football fan club hangouts across the country were searched. The police found weapons such as knives, batons prepared with nails and an axe. 67 fan clubs were then permanently banned.
criticism from the opposition
The opposition in Athens criticizes that the government’s measures are taking unilateral action against the fans. The problem of violence in Greek football is broader and sometimes extends to the top of the clubs. The owner of PAOK Saloniki, for example, the Russian oligarch Ivan Savvidis had a game abandoned in 2018 against AEK Athens provoked as he entered the pitch. Savvidis had a pistol visible on his belt.