AEK Athens youth player attacked with a knife outside training ground by rival fan ‘because he was wearing team colours’

AN AEK Athens youth player was attacked by a rival fan wielding a knife on Saturday.

The youngster was wearing his AEK Athens colours and that is believed to be the motivation behind the attack, which took place in the Athens suburb of Pefki.

ReutersAEK Athens are helping investigations into the crime[/caption]

The unnamed player avoided injury in the knife attack and the incident has been reported to police, report Greek outlet Sport24.

AEK will closely monitor developments while a search is made for the perpetrator.

The club released a statement which reads: “PAE AEK reports another unprecedented incident of sports violence this time with the victim of a young football player of the K15 team of our club.

“Wearing the clothes of AEK, since he was also present at the match of AEK K17 with his teammates, the young football player immediately afterwards in the area of ​​Pefki, outside the tutoring center where he was with his classmates, was attacked with a knife by a well-known an organized fan of another team in the area, who first insulted him and AEK.

“The perpetrator attacked our football player with a knife and tore with this jacket and the uniform he was wearing, without fortunately managing to do more damage to his arm, after the young player managed to escape and head towards his house, while the perpetrator chased him with the knife.

“The footballer’s family reported the incident to AT Pefkis from the first moment. The case was then referred to the Security and from there to the Sports Violence department.

“The investigations have progressed as both the AEK football player and witnesses have identified the perpetrator through photos, which were shown to them by the Police officers. The perpetrator is already wanted.

“The management of PAE and the people in charge of the yellow and black Academy stood from the first moment by the side of our young football player and his family.

“The management of PAE AEK is monitoring the case from the first moment, it has already taken all legal actions and demands its full clarification and the immediate arrest of the perpetrator.

“Fan violence has no place in football.

“Such events cause the disgust of the whole football family and for those who cause them, immediate and exemplary punishment is required.

“There can no longer be the slightest tolerance.”

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