AEK Athens manager Matias Almeyda was involved in a heated brawl after a fiery derby against PAOK descended into unsightly scenes following the final whistle.
In shameful 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 on a chaotic altercation.
Almeyda was caught on camera at full-time venting his fury before becoming involved in a fracas as a small crowd of bodies gathered around the dugout.
The 50-year-old was spotted pushing Sergio Araujo, his own player, and a substitute and then went on to confront a number of people, forcing police to step in.
PAOK’s Taison and several AEK coaches looked to hold Almeyda back but they were unsuccessful as he wriggled away and grabbed another person by the neck.
AEK Athens manager Matias Almeyda was involved in a brawl after a fiery derby against PAOK
Almeyda was seen grabbing an individual by the neck before being pulled out of the melee
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Eventually, Almeyda was dragged out of the melee and the flare-up petered out.
According to Greek publication Sportal, the man seemingly throttled by Almeyda was an official working for the Sub-Directorate of Sports Violence Prevention.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Almeyda addressed the brawl and revealed he had apologised to the individual he had grabbed at the neck.
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 in Greek football, there cannot be so many people. There is no one at AEK matches. So who protects us on the field?
‘I really don’t care if it was PAOK people or others, I just think that people should be more respectful. I respect the world and I want the same.
After the fracas petered out, Almeyda issued an apology to the unnamed person he grabbed
The coach is now facing a touchline ban of three matches after the shameful scenes
‘When I see an injustice being done, I react. I am a man, blood flows in my veins. I’m not going to change the way I am as a person.
‘I respect everyone whether I’m playing inside or outside and I want to be treated as a human being. I hope we don’t all have to be upset about something that has happened on the field. Before I had received some pushes.
‘If you push me, I’ll 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 is now facing a touchline ban of up to three matches.
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