GREECE has taken the extraordinary step of banning all team sports for two weeks because of the stabbing of a fan at a volleyball match. But athletes and supporters heading to Rhodes for the Island Games this summer should not be put off, said Guernsey Island Games Association secretary Roy Martel. He added that the incident would not have any bearing on the island’s representation there.

‘I don’t really think anything of it,’ he said.

‘Rhodes is quite some way from Greece. I don’t see what it’s got to do with Rhodes, apart from that it’s part of Greece.

‘Of course we will keep an eye on the situation. I’m in Rhodes next week and I will see if it is likely to have any impact on their plans, but I would suspect that the answer is no.

‘It would be no different to fans making a riot at an England football ground in relation to us.’

The stabbing happened during clashes between hooligans late on Thursday night when rival fans clashed in an eastern Athens suburb ahead of a women’s volleyball match between the country’s biggest clubs, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.

One person was stabbed and run over by a car and at least six people were injured, one of whom is in a critical condition. Police made 13 arrests following the 20-minute battle.

Guernsey is sending a women’s team to Rhodes. Guernsey Football Association vice-chairman Jeff Vidamour said he would be surprised if the incident had an impact on their participation in the Games.

‘If the suspension of all team games in Greece continued, then it would obviously become a concern, but we are still some three or four months away from the start.

‘If there was any decision to be made, we would make it alongside the Island Games Association.’