Panathinaikos fans chase their team off the pitch

Category: Football

Publish Date: 12-19-2010 11:19 AM -0500

Frustrated by their side's struggles to keep pace with Greek Super League leaders Olympiakos and the dire economic situation in Greece that has damaged their own livelihoods, Panathinaikos fans reached a breaking point on Saturday. Two points behind Olympiakos in the table with one more game played, Panathinaikos has only managed a scoreless draw against relegation-threatened Asteras and now a 1-0 loss to top-flight newcomers Olympiakos Volou in its last two matches. And that's what prompted economically minded fans to snap. 

From the AP:

Fans of the Greek team Panathinaikos chased players off their home field and pelted them with objects Saturday following a surprising loss. They also attacked the VIP stands, causing widespread damage. [...]

Panathinaikos fans already had been restive following a 0-0 draw at Asteras a week ago. Before the game against Volos, spectators put up a banner that read, “We are jobless and you wallow in luxury. Respect (the team symbols), patience is running thin.”

Booing by the 20,000 fans started early in the second half and intensified after Volos’ goal.

Clearly there is more behind this anger than just a couple of bad results and it probably has more to do with misdirected fury from the have-nots at the most obvious example of the perceived to be uncaring haves. But whatever the case may be, Djibril Cisse doesn't seem too concerned about the irate mob coming his way. 

Video via 101gg

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