Greek footballers protest for refugees

February 7, 2016
Issue 

“In a touching tribute to thousands of refugees who lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean from Turkey into the EU, two Greek football teams orchestrated a sit-in at the start of the match to protest against the policies of 'brutal indifference',” RT.com said on February 1.

In the January 29 clash between AEL Larissa and Acharnaikos, all 22 players sat on the pitch after the referee blew the whistle for kick off — refusing to play in honour of those who perished crossing the sea from Turkey into Greece. RT.com said: “Coaches and medical staff of the two teams, who play in the second-tier Greek league, as well as the match officials, also sat on the ground to the applause of the fans.”

An announcement over the stadium loud speakers said that the gesture — which lasted for two minutes — was an effort to “drive the authorities to mobilise all those who seem to have been desensitised to the heinous crimes that are being perpetrated in the Aegean”.

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