Probe into fans clashes as Aberdeen's European campaign ends
Last updated 4th Aug 2017
Aberdeen have begun investigation into incidents involving travelling supporters after their Europa League qualifying campaign ended with with a 2-0 defeat against Apollon Limassol.
Some fans were seen apparently clashing with stewards in the stands at the AEK Arena after the 3-2 aggregate loss in a video posted on social media.
There have also been claims in the media that riot police used pepper spray to keep fans of both clubs apart after the match.
A statement on Aberdeen's official website read: "Following incidents at the end of this evening's match in Larnaca, the club can confirm it has commenced dialogue with the stadium operators, Apollon Limassol and the authorities.
"As part of this, the club has requested that CCTV footage is interrogated in order to assist matters.
"The club will not be making any further comment until the conclusion of this comprehensive investigation.''
Flares were lit early in the second half in the home section, with one thrown and landing inside the goal behind Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
Television caught Swiss referee Stephan Klossner telling an official that he would abandon the match if the behaviour did not cease.
It did calm down, but Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was unimpressed. In a radio interview after the match he said: "I have not spoken to Joe about it but you could see it was a difficult situation with the smoke covering that whole area.
"It is ridiculous behaviour, that we have to deal with that.
"It didn't help the flow of the game in the second half but I don't think he was damaged, I don't think it affected him too much.
"We expected it to be a wee bit volatile and plenty of passion from the side but it did boil over at times.
"I am hearing our fans got treated terribly as well by the stewards here, steaming in with flares and tear gas and everything else to defuse the situation.
"I didn't get to see it but I am hearing it second hand and you seen some of the stuff that was going on, things getting thrown on to the pitch, people spitting into the dugout, flares getting thrown on - that's when you should have seen the stewards being more visible, not treating our fans the way they did.''
The Dons' 2-1 lead from the first leg of the third qualifying round at Pittodrie was cancelled out and more in the 17th minute when Apollon attacker Andre Schembri fired in from 14 yards.
Aberdeen stepped up their efforts but home substitute Emilio Zelaya added a second in the 86th minute to sink the men from the Granite City.
McInnes said: "It was a real disappointment. They scored with their first ball in the box, really.
"We threw caution to the wind a wee bit and got done with the second goal.
"It was a missed opportunity for us.
"I don't want to bleat too much about the opportunities we missed but we did have good chances.
"We don't want pats on the back for being unlucky. We were beaten fair and square and I feel we have only ourselves to blame.'