Euro 2024 play-off clash descends into chaos as huge brawl breaks out with manager and substitute shown red cards
GEORGIA’S 2024 play-off final with Greece exploded into mayhem – peaking with two red cards.
A head-to-head flare-up between two players turned into a mass scuffle as team-mates and coaching staff joined in.
AFPTuesday’s Euro play-off final in Tbilisi veered out of control[/caption]
ReutersThe skirmish was sparked when Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reacted angrily to the close attentions of Greek rival Petros Mantalos[/caption]
Referee Szymon Marciniak eventually sent off Georgia’s sub keeper Giorgi Loria and another man – reportedly a member of Greece’s backroom team.
Trouble had long been brewing as home winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia became increasingly agitated by some fierce treatment.
And on the stroke of the interval Kvaratskhelia raged when Greece midfielder Petros Mantalos appeared to manhandle him by the touchline.
Other players rushed in as the pair squared up.
And the result was the half-time whistle sounding with a large group of players and staff still skirmishing.
Marciniak got out his red card to pursue two people off the pitch – brandishing it to both Loria and another tracksuited man.
The match itself remained on a knife-edge – Greece clinging on amid a goalless 90 minutes and extra time before penalties were needed.
One fan posted: “Full of passion and life, but very little quality.”
ReutersThe clashes on the touchline spilled of the pitch[/caption]
It was the first of Tuesday night’s three play-off final for a place at this summer’s Euros in Germany.
Wales vs Poland and Ukraine vs Iceland were to follow.
Greece midfielder Tasos Bakasetas continued the argument