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Supporters of AEK and PAOK threw home-made petrol bombs and lit flares in the city centre. Fans fought pitched battles in the streets as riot police attempted to contain the violence, which came ahead of the Greek Cup final this evening. Shocking photos show smoke billowing through the streets of Athens with cars blocked from main routes by flares and fires.

Nikos Christofakis AEK and PAOK fans clashed ahead of tonight's Greek Cup final in Athens

Nikos Christofakis AEK and PAOK fans caused chaos in Athens last night

The two teams are fierce rivals and more violence is predicted before tonight’s key clash, which kicks off at 6.30pm BST. It comes after a match between the two teams was abandoned when PAOK’s president stormed the field with a handgun. Ivan Savvidis was banned from football for three years and the entire Greek Super League was temporarily suspended.

Nikos Christofakis Athens was thrown into chaos last night as football fans rioted