Football fans in Greece will need cellphones to buy tickets in government crackdown on violence

Players of Panathinaikos and Atromitos warm up at an empty of fans stadium ahead of a Greek super League soccer match, at Peristeri stadium, in Athens, Greece, on Dec 17, 2023. Vroutsis said the new ticket system – which will resemble electronic boarding passes used at airports – will have to be installed by all 14 top-division clubs by April 9. — AP

ATHENS, Greece: Football fans in Greece will have to use a state-run digital identification app on their cellphones to buy tickets for games after a security ban on supporters expires next month.

The measure is part of a crackdown on sports-related violence that forced football clubs to close stadiums to fans for two months through Feb 12. It was ordered after a police officer was shot with a flare during a fan riot in Athens last month and later died in the hospital from his injuries.