On 8 February 1981, Greek football was plunged into mourning due to the tragedy of Gate 7. That day forever marked the history of sport, as 21 Olympiacos fans lost their lives and dozens of others were injured, in one of the most tragic events ever recorded in Greek stadiums.

The fateful moment

On the afternoon of February 8, 1981, Olympiacos welcomed AEK to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, in a game that ended with a triumphant 6-0 victory for the ‘reds’. At the end of the game, thousands of fans headed for the exits to celebrate. But at Gate 7, the unthinkable happened.

According to statements and subsequent investigations, the exit door was either closed or ajar, causing overcrowding. People continued to stream in, unaware of what was happening up ahead, causing panic. The fans at the top of the stand began to push those in front, resulting in several being trampled and losing their lives to suffocation.

The tragic outcome

The tragedy left 21 dead and 55 injured. Young people, most of them in their teens or a little older, lost their lives needlessly at what was supposed to be a celebration. The images recorded that afternoon remain etched in the collective memory of Greek football.

The consequences and the memory of the victims

The Gate 7 tragedy led to increased security measures in Greek stadiums. The fans have never forgotten that day, and every year, the Olympiacos family holds a memorial service at the monument that has been erected outside the stadium. Flags fly at half-mast, while Gate 7 remains a point of remembrance and reflection.

A timeless message

Forty-three years on, the tragedy at Gate 7 is a reminder of the value of safety in stadiums and the need for constant vigilance. It is a timeless lesson in how sport should be a place of joy, unity and passion, but never a place of mourning. The memory of the victims remains alive, reminding everyone that the lives lost must never be forgotten.