ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities launched a ban on paper tickets for all league soccer matches on Tuesday as part of an effort to crack down on the violence that has plagued the sport for decades.
Under new rules, fans will only be allowed into stadiums using their cellphones and displaying a government-issued QR code so they can be identified and attendance bans can be enforced.
Stadiums have been closed to spectators for two months so security measures could be overhauled following the death of a police officer who was hit by a flare during a fan riot in Athens in December.
Starting Tuesday, fans will have to buy tickets online and verify the purchase using a state-run app used to pay taxes and access online government services.
Dimitris Papastergiou, a minister for digital governance, said the full paper ticket phase out would last one month. Exceptions, he said, would be made for minors and seniors, adding that the new system would be expanded to other sporting events after the summer.
“The goal is also … to relieve the Greek police of the need to provide hundreds of policemen at stadiums. Police will not be needed at stadium entrances,” Papastergiou told state-run ERT television.
The minister said 10,000 of the current 80,000 season-ticket holders had already switched to the new electronic system.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, file photo, Greek police secure an entrance of a stadium during a Greek super League soccer match between Atromitos and Panathinaikos, at Peristeri stadium, in Athens, Greece. Greek authorities on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, have launched a ban on paper tickets at all top flight soccer matches as part of an effort to crack down on violence that has plagued the sport for decades. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis, File)
BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 25 points and the Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals, beating the short-handed Miami Heat 118-84 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Boston will face the winner of the Cleveland-Orlando series. The Cavaliers lead 3-2, with Game 6 in Orlando on Friday night.
Brown also had six assists, and White hit five 3-pointers. Sam Hauser added 17 points and Jayson Tatum had 16 points and 12 rebounds, The top-seeded Celtics never trailed and led by 35 points. They also got a measure of revenge a year after the Heat routed them in Game 7 of the conference finals in Boston.
Bam Adebayo scored 23 points and Tyler Herro had 15 for Miami, which made its first exit from the playoffs prior to the conference finals since 2021. The Heat struggled throughout, going 3 of 29 from 3-point range.
Boston played for the first time this postseason without center Kristaps Porzingis after he strained his right calf in the Celtics’ Game 4 victory. His teammates filled in the gaps, as the Celtics’ lead reached 30 points in the first half.
Boston exploited a Heat team that was the most injured it’d been in the series. Jaime Jaquez Jr. sat out after suffering a hip injury in Game 4. He was replaced in the lineup by Delon Wright, marking the 37th starting five the Heat used this season. Jaquez joined Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck), who had both been sidelined since the start of the series.
It made for unique rotations for Miami, which included veteran Patty Mills logging minutes for just the third time in the series.
Boston seized on the vulnerabilities in the Heat’s defense, spreading them out and knocking down eight 3-pointers in the opening period. It helped the Celtics carry an 18-point lead into the second quarter.
The highlight of the opening 12 minutes came courtesy of White, who pulverized Miami from long distance with eight 3s in Game 4. He stayed on the attack early Wednesday, faking a 3-point attempt and then driving in for an uncontested one-handed dunk.
White played to the home crowd afterward, holding his hand in front of his face as he backpedaled up the court. After the Heat called a timeout, a courtside fan near the Celtics’ bench could be seen pantomiming fanning White on the sideline.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) tries to shoot over Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, center, drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) and guard Tyler Herro during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches his players during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) sets to drive against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) tosses up a shot after driving past Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) battles Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin for the ball during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives past Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) grabs a long pass against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin, left, during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, right, slams a dunk against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
