Nearly 100 Croatian soccer fans face murder, gang-related charges in Greece after deadly violence
By DEREK GATOPOULOS and LEFTERIS PITARAKIS
Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Nearly 100 Croatian soccer fans have appeared in an Athens court to face serious criminal charges that include murder and membership of a criminal organization, over their alleged involvement in deadly fan violence. They appeared in court a day after a 29-year-old Greek fan was stabbed to death outside AEK Athens’ stadium, prompting the cancellation of a Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb. Amateur video of the attack showed dozens of youths wielding bats and iron bars running past the stadium, as flares and petrol bombs exploded. Ten people were injured and four remain hospitalized. Police braced for more potential violence later Wednesday as Athens club Panathinaikos faced Marseille in another Champions League qualifier.