Europa League: Burnley fan stabbed in Greece before Olympiakos game

Burnley wore all black, including armbands, in memory of former Northern Ireland forward Jimmy McIlroy who died aged 86 on recently, National Daily learnt.

A Burnley fan was stabbed, and four others were injured, before the first leg of their Europa League play-off against Olympiakos in Greece.

The fan needed stitches to a leg wound and received medical attention at the stadium in Piraeus near Athens.

About 1,000 Burnley fans travelled to Greece for the game; 23 were held for being drunk and disorderly.

Burnley lost the game, the first leg of the Europa League play-off round, 3-1. The second leg takes place recently.

A statement from the club said: “The vast majority [of our fans] were once again impeccably behaved, with the coaching operation to transport supporters to the ground put in place by the club again a great success, as it was in the previous round in Istanbul.

“However, five of our supporters were unfortunately injured – including a person who received a stab wound to the leg – and received medical attention at the stadium.

They beat Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir and Scottish Premiership runners-up Aberdeen in extra time to set up the tie with Olympiakos