Five people were taken to hospital after a group attacked a TV crew ahead of a match at Greece’s second-tier Football League at Kaftanzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki. Those attacked worked for cable TV channel OTE TV.

Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis told the press that the event was another example of a sever episode of blind football fan violence with victims being simple ordinary employees and technicians. The incident happened just as the crew was preparing the media coverage of the match between Iraklis and AEL Larissa.

“The government condemns these morbid phenomena and assures supporters that the legislative work it is going through is aiming to eliminate the root causes of the problems afflicting Greek football,” said Kontonis. “We hope that all will realize the gravity of the situation and support our legislative work, even if some may have reservations about aspects of the bill.”