The solution is to eradicate the rampant violence in the stands.
Audience violence has long been a major problem in Greece. PDO
In Greece, tough measures are being introduced to stamp out violence in the stands.
The Greek government ordered football matches to be played without spectators for the next two months. The empty stands will be played until February 12, 2024.
The order applies to the two highest series levels. It also applies to possible Euro games. Empty stands may be played for a longer period if the situation does not calm down within two months.
If the spectators do not learn to behave, the Greek government intends to develop stricter security measures to curb the spectators. For example, security cameras equipped with facial recognition technology are used as means. Already in the past, the government increased prison sentences for violence in the stands to up to five years.
– For years, criminal actors have infiltrated the stands with the intention of harming and killing other spectators, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis says according to the BBC.
Violent clashes between supporters have been a problem in Greek football culture for years. Clashes have claimed many lives.
The decision to close the stadiums to the public was made after the spectators attacked the police who were acting as security guards. One policeman was seriously injured in the clash.