Champions League Game Postponed After AEK Athens Fan Stabbed To Death

A UEFA Champions League game was postponed after violent clashes between rival fans resulted in a man being killed.

AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb had been due to play the first leg of their third-round qualifying tie in the Greek capital on Tuesday.

UEFA had ruled that no away supporters would be permitted at either leg amid security concerns.

But between 100 and 120 Dinamo fans showed up at AEK's Agia Sophia Stadium on Monday night, shortly after the away team had left the arena following a training session.

A group of AEK fans also gathered outside the stadium on Monday and witnesses told BBC Sport that fans from both sides "threw flares, improvised incendiary devices, objects, stones, and also used improvised bats".

A 29-year-old Greek fan died after being stabbed.

Local police reported that eight other people were injured and that 98 arrests have since been made.

Greek police pictured gathering evidence outside of the Agia Sophia Stadium on Tuesday

IMAGO/HANZA MEDIA/Ronald Gorsic/CROPIX

A statement published by European soccer's governing body read on Tuesday: "UEFA deplores in the strongest possible terms the appalling incidents that took place in Athens last night and resulted in the loss of a life.

"While expressing our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim, to AEK Athens FC and its fans, we would like to reiterate that violence has no place in our sport and we expect that those responsible for this terrible act be arrested and consigned to justice in the shortest delay."

Tuesday's game has since been rearranged for Saturday, August 19 but it will now be the second leg.

The first leg will take place in Croatia next Tuesday.

There is likely to be additional security measures taken around both matches amid fears of more violence.

Dinamo's players were given a police escort as they left their team hotel in Athens before flying back to Croatia.

Police officers pictured outside of Dinamo Zagreb's team hotel on Tuesday

IMAGO/Pixsell/Marko Lukunic