Greece forced to postpone basketball final over violence fears
The Greek government has postponed a basketball game between rivals Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, threatening to cancel the national championship after tensions between team owners escalated at a match on Sunday.
Olympiacos owners Panagiotis and George Aggelopoulos, and Panathinaikos owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos, clashed over alleged obscene gestures and offensive chants by spectators.
The sides were scheduled to play the third of five potential end-of-season games on Wednesday, but that game has been put on hold after
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the owners would appear in front of the deputy sports minister and promise that this behaviour will not be repeated.
"Otherwise, this year's championship will be permanently suspended," Marinakis added.
Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, two of Greece 's biggest basketball clubs, recently played each other for third place in the EuroLeague finals in Abu Dhabi.
Sport in Greece has been marred by violent incidents on and off the pitch in recent years.
In August 2023, AEK Athens fan Michalis Katsouris was stabbed to death in violent clashes before the team's Champions League game against Dinamo Zagreb. A year earlier, Greece was shocked when 19-year-old soccer fan Alkis Kampanos died in fighting between rival groups.
Authorities have promised to crack down to tackle the issue.
In April this year p olice arrested 63 people on charges of being members of a criminal organisation with links to sports violence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tottenham players 'are left FURIOUS' by Ange Postecoglou sacking - with Daniel Levy 'facing possible revolt' from stars after ruthlessly binning Australian just days after Europa League win
Tottenham players have been left furious by the sacking of Ange Postecoglou, according to a report. The Australian was ruthlessly let go on the second anniversary of his appointment and 16 days after he led the club to its first European trophy for 41 years. Thomas Frank of Brentford is the leading candidate to replace him. Postecoglou returned from a holiday in Greece to learn his fate and Spurs issued a statement to explain the decision had been taken after a review of performances and 'significant reflection'. Chairman Daniel Levy held a meeting into the night after the final game of the Premier League season, a 4-1 home defeat by Brighton, just five days after the euphoria of beating Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao. Levy later visited the Bahamas where he met with members of the Lewis family, the club's majority shareholders. After, he made the decision to relieve Postecoglou of his duties, but Levy, according to the Times, could face a potential revolt from the players. The report suggests that some of Tottenham's players will be looking to leave the club as a result of the decision. A source told the Times: 'The players are so angry about what has happened and how it has been handled. The next manager is going to inherit a difficult situation.' A number of stars took to social media on Friday night to pay tribute to their former boss. .Spurs right back Pedro Porro took to Instagram and posted three photos of himself and Postecoglou along with a heartfelt message. It read: 'Thank you for everything, boss,' Porro's message began. 'For mentoring me early on, helping me settle into the club, and trusting me out on the pitch. 'I'll always be grateful for the way you led us, defended us, and kept us going through all the highs and lows. 'Above everything, you gave us one of the greatest moments in the club's history and for that, you'll always be celebrated. Wishing you all the very best, boss'. Striker Richarlison added: 'Mister, massive thanks for helping me out and believing in me during one of the trickiest periods of my career and my life. 'Everyone who loves the Spurs will remember that Big Ange always bags trophies in his second season. We've made history! Cheers and good luck on your journey! I'll always be rooting for you'. Fellow forward Dominic Solanke later wrote: 'Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club, thank you for bringing us a wonderful trophy. 'Won't ever forget the convo we had before I signed and we achieved a dream! All the best in your next adventure'. Postecoglou had earlier issued a statement of his own. In it, he spoke of his pride at having delivered European glory to 'one of England's historic football clubs'. The statement read: 'When I reflect on my time as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. 'We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. 'I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. Thomas Frank is the heavy favourite to move from Brentford and take over in north London 'It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. 'And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Scotland must get it right quickly
Scotland must "get it right pretty quickly" after being booed off for conceding three goals for the second consecutive game at Hampden, says captain Andy Clarke's side delivered a performance that veered from chaotic to meek in losing 3-1 in a friendly against follows the abject 3-0 home loss to Greece in the Nations League play-off in March, and leaves a cloud over Clarke and his players before World Cup qualifying starts in September."I think we all know that's nowhere near good enough," Liverpool's Robertson told BBC Scotland immediately after full-time. "I don't want to say too much - we need to digest this and speak in the changing room before we start doing interviews."But I think we were too easily played through - any chance they had, they scored. We weren't good enough on the ball. We created chances but didn't take them. We were just nowhere near good enough."I don't think you can put a finger on one thing but we need to get it right pretty quickly."More to follow.
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside story of Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham sacking with Daniel Levy rift that worsened during Europa League run
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SO, Daniel Levy did kill off his main character in the second season finale of the Ange Postecoglou show. Postecoglou himself warned that could be the case just a day after teasing fans at Spurs' Europa League-winning parade that he could stay on for a third campaign with a prestige-telly analogy. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Ange Postecoglou has left Spurs Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 It comes despite him ending the club's 17 year trophy drought Credit: PA 6 Postecoglou does not get the chance to deliver on his third season promise Credit: Reuters The 59-year-old had told hundreds of thousands of delirious supporters lining the streets outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that in 'all the best television series, season three is better than season two'. It went down a storm, with many of those who had wanted the Aussie out for the woeful league form now fully behind him after he had ended the club's 17-year trophy drought. Their hope had been that Levy would perform a similarly emotional U-turn, and NOT go through with his pre-final plan of wielding the axe whatever the outcome in Bilbao. How can he possibly ditch the guy who has delivered our first piece of silverware since the League Cup in 2008, and the first European trophy in 41 years, they asked themselves. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL NOW WE'RE BOTH POSH! David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses In fairness, Levy did pause for thought, albeit briefly. But Postecoglou always knew the chances of the long-serving Spurs supremo doing an about-face were slim, given how their relationship had frayed in the previous months. So it will have come as no surprise to the former Celtic treble-winner - even if it did to millions of Tottenham fans across the globe. Levy turned to Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, after being snubbed by Arne Slot who had decided to stay at Feyenoord for one more season ahead of his switch to Liverpool. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Postecoglou even described himself as 'the last man standing' in the race to succeed Antonio Conte. But the Athens-born Aussie, who had never previously managed in Europe's top five major leagues before, got off to a stunning start by taking 26 points from his first 30 available. That was despite the club selling their record goal-scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich on the eve of the season. After an unbeaten first ten Prem games, Spurs were five points clear at the top of the table and anything seemed possible under Postecoglou. Fans took to singing a version of Robbie Williams' Angels regularly after matches, with the key lyrics altered to 'I'm loving Big Ange instead'. Levy seemed giddy with excitement too, proudly declaring at a fans' forum in September 2023 that 'we've got our Tottenham back' in reference to Postecoglou's thrilling style of play. 6 Daniel Levy has wielded his axe again Credit: GETTY 6 Fans and players appeared with him after the Europa League success Credit: Getty But then came THAT 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea in November 2023 - the bonkers game Postecoglou may be best remembered for, even more so than the Europa final win over Manchester United. Having had two men sent off and having lost James Maddison and Micky van de Ven to serious injuries, Spurs, amazingly, continued to attack and almost nicked a 2-2 draw. But then Nicolas Jackson completed what was dubbed the worst hat-trick ever in injury-time - before Spurs were treated to a standing ovation by their fans as they left the pitch. It was unprecedented - yet after that game, things were never the same. Teams started to wise up to Spurs' style of inverted full-backs and clever cut-backs - as well as exposing the gaps they left at the back. Eric Dier, who left to join Kane at Bayern Munich in January, later claimed that Postecoglou 'really doesn't do barely any tactical work, what he does is every single training drill from Monday to Friday is drawn up to represent the way he wants to play.' Van de Ven and Maddison being sidelined disrupted the team's rhythm and they ended up being pipped by Aston Villa to fourth spot and Champions League qualification. Injuries decimated Postecoglou's squad in his second season - with the Aussie's intense pressing style accused of being a contributing factor - and the league campaign began to unravel. Raw teenage talent had mainly been added in the summer - although £65million was spent on striker Dominic Solanke - and it told. Postecoglou hoped for more experience to be added in January but out of the three arrivals, only Kevin Danso fitted that description. Spurs went on to finish 17th after losing 22 league games - the most a Prem team has ever managed and NOT been relegated - including embarrassing defeats to Ipswich and Leicester who both went down. The AngeOut army grew among the fanbase, who had been irked by his misreading the previous season of their desire to lose against Manchester City to deny rivals Arsenal the title. In another clash, Postecoglou mockingly cupped his ear in the direction of Spurs away fans at Chelsea in April. 6 Postecoglou appeared to cup his ears at fans against Chelsea Credit: Getty But all was forgiven when he ended the trophy curse in Bilbao. Ironically, it was done in a defensive style akin to predecessor Jose Mourinho, with the team having just 27 per cent possession and completing just 184 passes. It was more Ange Wall than Ange Ball, which suggested Postecoglou was capable of adapting when many pundits suggested he could not. That feat was not enough though to convince the higher-ups, who had not agreed with Postecoglou's decision to prioritise the Europa League from February onwards. It is understood the club began talking to representatives of other managers from the start of the year, underlining the shaky ground Postecoglou has been on for some time. Now it has collapsed from underneath him, to his disappointment as he felt the job in N17 was not done. But at least he walks away a hero, having finally changed the narrative to one of rare trophy success during the silverware-starved Levy story of the last 25 years.
