Fireworks scandal in the Olympiacos-Panathinaikos derby

The Greek Super League derby between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos was canceled after a player was hit by a firework.

The two Greek teams, who have long been archrivals, were clinging to a 1-1 draw before the match was abandoned early in the second half.

Before the match was interrupted, Panathinaikos substitute Juankar began warming up on the touchline and was hit by a firework launched by the crowd. The incident occurred shortly after the home team equalized.

Juankar, who fell to the ground at the edge of the pitch, was quickly controlled by his teammates and play was suspended for almost an hour while the players left the pitch through the tunnel.

EXPERIENCED HEARING LOSS

The Spaniard, who suffered hearing loss after the blow, received treatment on the touchline and was later transported in a paramedic car.

Shortly after the incident and while the player was being treated, Panathinaikos tweeted: ‘A firework fell on the players of our team who were warming up. Juankar remains injured on the ground. The match was suspended. “Our team retires to the locker room.”

While fans were still in the stadium during the long delay, the club later issued an update suggesting that players were reluctant to return from the locker room:

“An hour has passed since the derby stopped. “Our team is still in the locker room.”

VACATION DECISION AFTER A LONG WAIT

The decision to cancel the match was communicated to fans through an announcement around 9:30 p.m. local time.

This tough derby between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos has been abandoned in the past, such as in 2019 when the referee had to stop the match after a group of 30 fans attacked the players on the bench.

Police were also forced to use tear gas to control the crowd chaos outside the stadium.

Even though the match was cancelled, Olympiakos was rewarded with a 1-0 victory in 2019. It is still unclear how the match, which was canceled on Sunday, will be recorded.

Panathinaikos tweeted confirming that the match had been cancelled: “The referee has closed the match report and the fate of the match will be decided in court.”