Greek Cup Final: Police Ban Traveling Fans Due to Violence Concerns

Ahead of the Greek Cup final on Wednesday, police in Athens have banned traveling fans due to concerns over potential violence. Despite the match being ordered to be played without supporters in the stadium, league champions AEK Athens will face PAOK in Volos. The authorities took several months to find a venue for the game, with the Greek Football Federation requesting assistance from counterparts in Albania, Cyprus, Poland, Serbia, Australia, Germany and England in seeking an overseas venue. However, an agreement was eventually reached with regional authorities to host the final at the Panthessaliko stadium. Regional police chief Giorgis Dizes thanked the two clubs for publicly requesting that fans respect the ban and said that police were carrying out continuous inspections in the stadium area and beyond. Volos officials have warned that they will call off the game if violence between rival fans breaks out. Fan violence has plagued soccer in Greece for decades, fueled by disputes between powerful club owners. Police carried out highway inspections outside the city early on Wednesday in an attempt to spot supporters attempting to defy the ban.