- AEK Atenas coach Matías Almeyda was seen grabbing someone by the neck.
- His team lost 3-2 to PAOK in a derby that later sparked unpleasant scenes.
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AEK Atenas coach Matías Almeyda was involved in a heated fight after an intense derby against PAOK turned into ugly scenes after the final whistle.
In embarrassing chaos in Greece, AEK lost 3-2 to their rivals in a crucial match in the Super League title race and the result lit the fuse of a chaotic altercation.
Almeyda was caught on camera full-time venting his fury before becoming involved in a brawl as a small crowd of bodies gathered around the dugout.
The 50-year-old was seen pushing Sergio Araujo, his own player and a substitute and then clashed with several people, forcing the police to intervene.
PAOK’s Taison and several AEK coaches tried to restrain Almeyda, but were unsuccessful as he slipped away and grabbed another person by the neck.
AEK Atenas coach Matías Almeyda was involved in a fight after the intense derby against PAOK
Almeyda was seen grabbing an individual by the neck before being pulled out of the melee.
Finally, Almeyda was pulled out of the melee and the explosion died down.
According to the Greek publication Sportal, the man apparently strangled by Almeyda was an official from the Sports Violence Prevention Subdirectorate.
In his post-match press conference, Almeyda addressed the fight and revealed that he had apologized to the individual he had grabbed by the throat.
He said, ‘Did you see how many people were in the stadium? What I always say is that if we want to change the situation of Greek football there cannot be so many people. There is no one at AEK games. So who protects us in the field?
‘I don’t really care if it was people from PAOK or others, I just think people should be more respectful. I respect the world and want the same.
After the fight ended, Almeyda apologized to the anonymous person he grabbed.
The coach now faces a three-match ban on the sideline following the embarrassing scenes.
‘When I see an injustice being committed, I react. I am a man, blood runs through my veins. I’m not going to change the way I am as a person.
“I respect everyone whether I play inside or outside and I want to be treated like a human being.” I hope we don’t all have to get angry about something that happened on the field. Before she had received some pushes.
‘If you pressure me, I will do the same. Because I don’t push, I talk. I accept defeats and criticism, but don’t let anyone challenge me. It’s simple. If what I did is bad, yes it is.’
Almeyda now faces a touchline ban of up to three matches.
