THE SIDELINES : Unruly Fans Halt Soccer Match
From Times Wire Services
SALONICA, Greece —
Thirty-one police officers were injured and 16 fans were arrested in clashes during a Greek Cup soccer match today.
Three people were hospitalized, including one fan injured by police, who said the violence began when fans of the PAOK Salonica soccer club tried to enter the playing field in the 80th minute and began to pelt police with concrete fragments of the grandstand. Police responded by shooting tear gas grenades into the crowd.
Police also said PAOK fans began to destroy police vehicles outside the stadium after the game, which ended seven minutes early because of tear gas drifting across the field.
The home team beat Olympiakos of Piraeus 1-0 in the first-leg, third-round game for the Greek Cup.
