Club Statement
PAOK would like to announced that the club is proceeding with official complaints to UEFA, as well as to the Greek embassy in Belgium for cases of unprecedented and indiscriminant hatred towards Greeks in the city of Bruges by local authorities during PAOK’s match against Club Brugge. At the same time, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Civil Protection, Sport, and the leadership of the Hellenic Police and all relevant bodies have been informed in detail.
The Belgian police arbitrarily arrested people with valid tickets, who were then not allowed to enter the stadium, used tear gas and water pumps against supporters who were picnicking, but also used blind violence when our fans left the stadium. The Belgian authorities have blown away all notions of hospitality and safety rules.
Both the fans, including representatives of the Greek state and family members of our athletes, as well as the 25 security members and PAOK executives, who were trying throughout to facilitate the access of our fans, became victims of blind violence. All of this took place in front of eyewitnesses the three emissaries of the Greek Police.
In view of the second leg, we expect the exemplary punishment of those responsible for the suffering caused to our fans and the full restoration and moral compensation of those who suffered damage unjustly. We also expect our colleagues from Club Brugge to condemn the largely racist behavior of the Belgian police who treated the Greeks visiting the city as criminals by default.
Our fans should be congratulated for keeping their cool after what they went through, while we feel sorry for those who, despite having purchased tickets, were unable to attend the match due to the insanity of the Belgian police.
