ATHENS — The game is drifting, goalless, toward its close when a heavy tackle from an Olympiacos player leaves Konstantinos Galanopoulos, a young midfielder for A.E.K. Athens, crumpled in a heap in the middle of the field.
His teammates quickly smuggle the ball out of play. The referee summons medical attention. An adapted golf cart scoots into action. Delicately, two attendants place Galanopoulos onboard.
But rather than heading straight back, the cart driver takes the scenic route: toward the far sideline, then left and around the perimeter of the field. It is an odd decision: The journey will take Galanopolous directly in front of the end of the stadium where Olympiacos’ baying, intimidating ultras gather.