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From Passion to Violence: The Bad Blue Boys and the Tragic Incident in Athens

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The Bad Blue Boys, Dinamo Zagreb’s most recognizable and passionate supporter group, have been an integral part of the club’s identity for decades. Formed in 1986, they are widely known for their choreographed displays, loud chants, and unwavering loyalty, both at home and abroad. However, their legacy has been marred by repeated clashes with law enforcement and other ultras across Europe. That tension reached a horrific turning point in August 2023 during a UEFA Champions League qualifying tie between Dinamo Zagreb and AEK Athens. Despite a UEFA ban on away fans for the match, a group of Bad Blue Boys traveled to Greece, where a confrontation with local supporters of AEK Athens erupted in the Nea Filadelfeia district. The violence resulted in the death of Michalis Katsouris, a 29-year-old AEK supporter, who was fatally stabbed during the clashes. The incident sparked widespread outrage across Greece and the footballing world, calling into question how such a gathering could occur under official restrictions.


Greek authorities responded swiftly. More than one hundred individuals were arrested, the majority of whom were Croatian nationals. Many of them were connected to the Bad Blue Boys and had reportedly coordinated their travel with supporters of Greek club Panathinaikos, a known rival of AEK. Law enforcement seized weapons, flares, and other items that suggested premeditation. According to investigations and reporting by independent media outlets, the incident was not a spontaneous act of aggression but part of a broader subculture of organized football violence. Journalists from iMEdD, who had gained rare access to the Bad Blue Boys before the incident, revealed the intense insularity, coded rituals, and tightly maintained group hierarchy that define the group’s structure. These findings shed light on the powerful internal bonds that can foster both camaraderie and, in extreme cases, coordinated acts of violence. As the legal process unfolds, the role of international cooperation in monitoring and managing such groups has become a focal point of discussion in both Greece and Croatia.


For Dinamo Zagreb, the tragedy has triggered a deep reckoning. While the club officially condemned the violence and distanced itself from those involved, the incident has tarnished the public image of a fanbase that often prided itself on passion and nationalism. The death of Michalis Katsouris reignited debates across UEFA and national football associations about the limitations of existing travel bans, as well as the effectiveness of pre-match intelligence sharing between countries. Meanwhile, the Bad Blue Boys continue to exist in a complicated space: admired for their loyalty but increasingly scrutinized for the conduct of their members abroad. As clubs across Europe face growing concerns about ultra group behavior, the incident in Athens stands as a sobering example of what happens when football fanaticism loses its moral compass.


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