GREEK POLICE GIVE LVERPOOL A BASHING!

Nai Ego Eimai · Post by **Nai Ego Eimai** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:57 am

The Associated Press
Published: May 24, 2007

ATHENS, Greece: UEFA blamed Liverpool fans for ticketing problems that led to trouble ahead of the Champions League final while the British government criticized organizers and the police.

Liverpool supporters said Greek police used pepper spray and batons after problems arose over tickets in Athens on Wednesday. Police arrested 128 fans, mostly from Liverpool, because they either had forged tickets or none at all. But hundreds more with genuine tickets were stopped from entering the Olympic stadium for the 2-1 loss to AC Milan and violence broke out when they tried to enter the ground.

"I've been tear gassed and hit on the back of the head by the police," said 19-year-old Kenny Roberts, who said he had a genuine ticket but was not allowed in. "I've paid good money for that ticket, I'm a (Liverpool) season ticket holder, and this is just disgraceful. It's terrible organization."

Police said Thursday that the officers on duty "followed the lines of their responsibility" while UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said the problems were caused by Liverpool fans trying to get into the stadium without a legitimate ticket. Gaillard also rejected complaints by fans that the stadium used for the 2004 Olympics was not suitable for a major cup final.

"It was a suitable venue. It is the stadium where the 2004 Olympics were held and where all the games of the national team are held," Gaillard told BBC Radio Five. "Unfortunately in Britain it is the behavior. Liverpool fans are responsible for the problems before, during and after the game.

"Trying to go over the barriers to get into the stadium without tickets ... is not the behavior we can condone. It is very easy to say 'this is not a football stadium.' Milan supporters didn't face the same problems because they didn't behave the same way."

Gaillard backed the action of the police and said that the fans' behavior could have led to serious injuries.

"In terms of fans pushing and attempting to get over the barriers, with turnstiles there could have been a tragedy," Gaillard said. "At one point the police were overwhelmed and it is much to their credit that there were no dangerous incidents."

Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Athens said that the ambassador would be raising concerns about the treatment of the Liverpool fans.

"We want the Greek authorities and UEFA to investigate this and put together a full report on how it could be handled better in future," Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement.

Napoli · Post by **Napoli** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:52 am

If this is true, they deserved it...

Paleon Patros Germanos · Fri May 25, 2007 9:41 am

They deserved it for being Liverpool fans.

MilanManiac · Post by **MilanManiac** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:43 am

+1 greek fans bashed em from behind (the back of the head) with tear gas... smart move.

COLOSSUS · Post by **COLOSSUS** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:23 pm

Didnt anyone tell them when they got to Greece that.........................................THIS.....................IS..............................ATHENS

Sorry Liverpool supporters but you dont go to Greece and get away with what you get away with in England

Lucky the Spartans didnt go to Athens

On a serious note, it wasnt that bad, a bit of tear gas and a handful got bashed for getting violent but otherwise they were pretty well behaved and the ticketing problem is because of idiots who try and present forged ones. Oh well, all English go to the Greek Islands for their summer holidays, for Liverpool fans the holiday has started early and i guess they are in for a long hot Greek summer.........half their luck really

olympiakos · Post by **olympiakos** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:48 pm

HAHHAHA, i heard of a cab driver bashing his Liverpool passenger coz they refused to pay coz it was so much, he chased after him and bashed him, not nice but very funny

Motley · Post by **Motley** » Sat May 26, 2007 12:29 am

COLOSSUS wrote:Didnt anyone tell them when they got to Greece that.........................................THIS.....................IS..............................ATHENS

Sorry Liverpool supporters but you dont go to Greece and get away with what you get away with in England

Lucky the Spartans didnt go to Athens

On a serious note, it wasnt that bad, a bit of tear gas and a handful got bashed for getting violent but otherwise they were pretty well behaved and the ticketing problem is because of idiots who try and present forged ones. Oh well, all English go to the Greek Islands for their summer holidays, for Liverpool fans the holiday has started early and i guess they are in for a long hot Greek summer.........half their luck really

Walk on.

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:56 am

Liverpool fans got into the ground with fake tickets, other Liverpool fans didn't get in with real tickets. They then squashed into the section and moaned about "another hillsborough". Apparantly, it's all UEFA's fault.

When will the scousers learn? You would have thought that killing 96 of your own would have been a big enough lesson.

terriblygifted · Post by **terriblygifted** » Sat May 26, 2007 10:42 am

When will the scousers learn? You would have thought that killing 96 of your own would have been a big enough lesson.

That's a little harsh isn't it??

Judge Judy · Post by **Judge Judy** » Sat May 26, 2007 1:52 pm

you dropkick Hawkesy.