Croatian authorities have reportedly issued a “ne” to the prospect of PAOK Thessaloniki fans attending a match in the city of Rijeka on Thursday against the same-name club for the first leg of a Europa League playoff match.
Local police, in a recommendation to the country’s interior ministry, cite a “high risk” football match, as well as “previous experience”, a nod to concerns over hooligan violence.
Croatia’s football federation sent a similar letter to UEFA.
As a result, not only is the organized presence of PAOK fans at the game in Croatia is prohibited, but the ban also affects individual fans of the northern Greece side.
The decision also has a reciprocal effect, meaning that Rijeka fans will also be banned from the second leg match in Thessaloniki, scheduled for Aug. 28.
