An accident of this kind had happened before. On October 4, 1999, a bus carrying PAOK fans crashed on the way back from an away game in Athens. The vehicle also collided with a truck at that time. Six supporters of the club lost their lives that day. PAOK still regularly remembers the fans who died today.
Last October, for example, on the 26th anniversary of the accident, the association published a photo on Instagram of a street memorial in which the names of the six deceased were engraved. PAOK wrote: “They have never left us. In our hearts, in our minds, in our laughter, in our tears. On every field, in the whole world… Immortal…”.
How the club will deal with the new misfortune in the long term cannot yet be predicted. However, PAOK has already taken initial measures in the short term. At the game in Lyon, the away corner will not be opened in consultation with the French authorities and the home team. The club was also reacting to the decision of the organized fan scene to cancel the away trip to France in view of the tragedy. “Those who have not yet made the journey to Lyon, as well as those who are already in France, are asked to respect the decision of the PAOK family,” said another club statement on Wednesday.
There will be no game cancellation. UEFA is reportedly insisting on hosting the Europa League game. The European continental association left a t-online query about the background unanswered until Thursday.
In keeping with this, UEFA had only spoken out about the events the day before with an extremely brief statement. “We stand with PAOK’s family in this time of grief. Our sincere condolences go out to everyone affected by this tragic accident,” UEFA said, drawing anger from a number of fans with the short statement.
For example, there was clear criticism on Instagram under the corresponding post. There were vehement calls for the game to be canceled several times. One user commented: “You stand behind PAOK, but you don’t have the dignity to postpone the match in memory of the fans who died. May they rest in peace. Shame on you, Uefa.”
The seven supporters will now be honored not with a postponement of the game, but with a memorial ceremony. Olympique Lyon announced this immediately after the accident became known for the game at the Groupama Stadium on Thursday.
