The Aris club is supporting their eternal rival PAOK both through official statements and with their presence, following the deadly tragedy in Romania that claimed the lives of seven fans of the “double-headed eagle of the North.” A delegation of the “yellows” visited the memorial, led by Aris FC president Simos Aivazidis and former player Giorgos Goukoulias. PAOK fans responded to their presence with warm applause. The gesture, as magnanimous as it was, was described as obviously the right thing to do. Both Goukoulias and Aivazidis paid their own tribute to the memory of the seven victims.
Goukoulias emphasized: “In such moments, there are no colors. It’s hard to lose 7 young people, who left on a trip to see their beloved team and never returned home. I want to express condolences to the parents. These are difficult times that cannot be addressed with many words. It was natural for us to come and leave a flower for the children, in memory of the children who left us so unjustly.”
Romania tragedy: “May no one else be lost”
Regarding Simos Aivazidis, he said there is no color in sports and emphasized that everyone must take responsibility to ensure that fan support remains limited to simple banter. He also recalled the heavy grief that Aris has experienced from deaths: “Sports have no color, no jersey. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Very difficult times for everyone, for everyone. Friends, relatives… Good strength to everyone truly. We fully sympathize. We laid flowers, we laid a wreath. We felt special warmth and applause from PAOK fans.”
He further noted: “These are human moments. We also experienced similar moments, with Alkis and Tosko. We know what it’s like to lose your own people. May no more people be lost ever again, whether fellow citizens, friends, or brothers.” In closing, he expressed the hope that this tragic event would serve as a catalyst for cultural change: “This should be an example I think, that this is how sports should proceed from now on. ‘Fan support’ should be limited to the level of fun, banter and teasing. That’s how we should proceed. In my time, I remember the old days when we all sat in the stands mixed together – PAOK fans and Aris fans and others. At some point things must change, we must set the example and respond to difficulties in such moments.”
