The fervent rivalry between AEK and PAOK has escalated from the football pitch to the courtroom following violent clashes at the OPAP Arena parking lot during the recent Greek Cup quarterfinal. AEK, the Athens club, has firmly positioned itself against PAOK, demanding justice for what they describe as unprecedented aggression by the Thessaloniki team’s delegation against their fans and law enforcement officers.
The chaotic events unfolded when three AEK supporters, which included a father and his sons, displayed AEK memorabilia near the PAOK team’s bus. This seemingly innocent act triggered the PAOK delegation to confront them. Eyewitness reports indicated the PAOK members moved menacingly toward the AEK fans, provoking immediate police intervention to maintain order.
Shortly after the incident, AEK issued statements highlighting their distress and the need for accountability from PAOK. Their official communiqué asserted, "The AEK FC has initiated procedures before every competent body/authority to bring justice against those responsible for the unprecedented attack by the PAOK delegation on fans, police, and security," as reported by A.P.E. . The administration indicated their firm intentions to pursue legal action against all individuals involved, including police personnel who failed to adequately document the violent events.
AEK’s management expressed grave concerns about not only the attack but also the potential for impunity, making it clear they would not tolerate any leniency extended to those responsible. "Any impunity, which causes the public fan and sense of justice, will not be tolerated," they stated, signifying their commitment to justice and proper punishment for the responsible parties. They have declared their intentions to utilize every legal avenue to shield their fans and uphold justice, insisting they will demand accountability from those who allegedly concealed or distorted the events surrounding the violence.
On the flip side, PAOK has not taken AEK’s accusations lightly. The vice president of PAOK, Kyriakos Kyriakou, countered AEK’s claims on social media, accusing them of provoking the situation. He stated, “AEK is attempting to pressure judges, pouring oil on the fire after one night where the actions of Mr. Iliopoulos and the organized challenges by PAOK's delegation are already under disciplinary oversight.” This retort suggests PAOK views AEK's public stance as not only disingenuous but also as tantamount to attempting to intimidate judicial figures amid the brewing legal conflict.
Kyriakou's statement continues with tension, labeling AEK’s methods as akin to coercion. “The factory of allegations foolishly opened will surely backfire on them,” he asserted, portraying the club as being on the defensive and implying they may face consequences due to AEK's claims and their increasing scrutiny.
The publicly aired grievances between these two historic rivals highlight how incidents of violence can lead to far-reaching ramifications for both teams. AEK and PAOK will likely face increasing pressure from their supporters and governing bodies to rectify the violence and reevaluate relationships among fans. The governing bodies responsible for maintaining integrity within Greek football will be addressing these severe allegations consistently moving forward.
Both clubs have emphasized their commitment to maintaining order and sportsmanship, with AEK reiteratively stating, "The AEK will continue to cooperate with the state, justice, and the Greek police to eradicate all forms of violence,” highlighting their actions to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
By taking strong stances against violence and cooperation with authorities, both clubs aim to restore faith among fans and solidify the ethos of fair competition, yet the road to reconciliation appears fraught with challenges. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unravel and whether these efforts will lead to constructive outcomes for the clubs and their supporters.
