ATHENS, Greece Mar 30, 2007 (AP)— The Greek government suspended play in professional soccer, basketball and other team sports for two weeks Friday after a fan was killed in a volleyball riot.
The ban lasts until April 13.
A man was killed and five others were hospitalized Thursday when fans from rival women's volleyball clubs Panathinaikos Athens and Olympiakos Piraeus fought near Athens.
"Violence is sport is something that affects our entire society … and cannot be tolerated," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said Friday.
Several dozen fans on motorcycles clashed with rival supporters, hurling petrol bombs and rocks. At least two cars and three stores were damaged, police said.
Eighteen youths were detained by police.
Police said a 25-year-old man died of head injuries before reaching the hospital.
The clashes occurred before a volleyball Greek Cup match between rivals Panathinaikos and Olympiakos.
Both clubs have major teams in soccer, basketball and other sports, and rival supporters in the past have clashed at various sporting events.
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