KNOCK-OUT ROUND
Greece midfielder Giannis Gianniotas loses tooth in brutal fight with Bosnia coach Stephane Gilli after World Cup qualifier
A disagreement between Roma team-mates turned into a mass brawl while fans battled riot police in the crowd
OLYMPIAKOS and Greece midfielder Giannis Gianniotas had his tooth knocked out by Bosnia coach Stephane Gilli with a huge punch in a brutal post-match fight.
At the end of the 0-0 2018 World Cup qualifier, Roma team-mates Edin Dzeko and Kostas Manolas started an argument that spilled into a shoving match that suddenly turned into a mass brawl.
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The ex-Manchester City striker and his club team-mate seemed to cool down after coaching staff from both sides dashed on to try to calm the situation.
But unused sub Gianniotas suddenly burst on the scene and tried to use his match shirt as a weapon.
But the benched brawler picked the wrong man to row with as Gilli connected with a karate kick and then a thunderous right hand.
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It was not clear what Dezeko was fuming about that seemed to kick-off the fight but Manolas claimed it had something to do with a lack of respect for Greece’s national anthem.
He said: “The Bosnians should be ashamed of themselves for not respecting our national anthem.
“This sort of thing does not represent football.”
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The Greece fans then started fighting with the Bosnian riot police inside the stadium in ugly scenes.
Dzeko has been linked with a silly-money move to China but it sounds like he will be coming face-to-face with Manalos again in an awkward showdown at the start of next season.
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The Bosnian said: "My future? I have a contract with Roma and I don't think the club are thinking about anything else.
"I'm happy at Roma. Now I'm only thinking about the national team. After that, I'll go on holiday to rest after a really long and difficult season.”
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