Greek Cup Victory Leads to Riots, Fire

May 3, 2011

Greek police say suspected soccer hooligans have set fire to the office of an AEK fan club in Athens, two days after the team’s Greek Cup final victory over Atromitos ended in riots.

A police statement says nobody was injured in Monday’s attack, which extensively damaged the club’s office and two cars parked outside. No arrests were reported.

AEK won its first Greek Cup since 2002 on Saturday, but the match ended in chaos when AEK fans invaded the field, fought with Atromitos players and abused their fans.

A disgusted Atromitos coach Giorgos Donis claimed that some aimed flare guns at supporters in the VIP stands.

The government has renewed older threats to cut state funding for the sport unless the Greek soccer federation toughens disciplinary rules.