Schalke criticizes police action against its fans during Champions League match against PAOK

by  Associated Press Schalke slams police action during match with PAOK Associated Press - 22 August 2013 08:41-04:00

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) — Schalke is criticizing local police for using pepper spray and batons against Schalke fans displaying a Macedonian banner during its Champions League qualifying match against the Greek club PAOK.

The police say they used violence because the situation had threatened to escalate as PAOK fans felt provoked and threatened to attack rival supporters.

But Schalke says the police response was "disproportionate" and condemned it.

Police say 30 people needed medical attention and had to have their eyes washed out.

Greece has a long-running dispute with Macedonia over the former Yugoslav republic's name and says only its northern province can be called by that name.

Some Schalke fan groups have a friendly relationship with supports of the Macedonian club Vardar Skopje.

Wednesday's match ended in a 1-1 draw.

News Topics: Sports, Men's soccer, Professional soccer, Soccer, Men's sports

People, Places and Companies: Germany, Macedonia, Western Europe, Europe, Eastern Europe

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