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Violent Clashes Break Out Between AEK Athens And Ajax Fans

Violent Clashes Break Out Between AEK Athens And Ajax Fans

Reports of a 'Molotov cocktail' being thrown towards Ajax supporters

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Shocking images from inside AEK Athens' stadium show the terrifying scene as football fans clash ahead of the club's Champions League game against Ajax tonight.

According to reports, AEK fans were seen launching what's believed to be a 'Molotov cocktail' towards the away fans, which then exploded nearby.

Wire fences have been erected to keep the fans away from the pitch - there are also glass barriers in place, which kept supporters trapped in while the explosion, believed to have been caused by petrol, went off.

Fans could be seen with bloody faces.
PA

Flares were also reportedly lashed at rival supporters, prompting riot police to intervene.

Photos taken at the stadium show fans with bloody faces, following the fracas, which also saw some Ajax fans fighting with riot police.

There has been claims that Panathinaikos fans - arch rivals of AEK supporters - were also amongst the Ajax fans.

A tweet from a fan claiming to be in the ground, read: "Riots in Athens. AEK fans attack Ajax box with fireworks because there are fans of Panathinaikos between the Amsterdammers."

The stadium erupted into violence ahead of tonight's game.
PA

A number of Twitter accounts have posted footage of what appears to be flares or fireworks being thrown.

As the second half began, there were further reports of firecrackers being set off.

Ajax fans were seen cramped into a small area, surrounded by empty seats. According to the Daily Mail, when a firework landed near the crowd, one brave fan picked it up and threw it towards the empty seats and out of harm's way.

Ajax's Matthijs de Ligt ran towards his team's fans in an attempt to encourage them to calm down.

Reports from earlier this week claim that some Ajax fans have already found themselves in trouble with police in Greece with claims of petrol bombs being thrown and roads having to be blocked by cops.

Riot police got involved.
PA

As yet, there are no reports of arrests made at the match and the trouble was dealt with pretty quickly by police, meaning the game's early kick off went ahead as planned.

Ajax won the game 2-0, with Dusan Tadic scoring both, and are now in the final 16, for the first time in 13 years. Let's hope they manage to celebrate their win peacefully.

Featured Image Credit: AFP

Topics: World News