A FOOTBALL fan caused a Greek tragedy when he led a group of supporters half way across Athens to the wrong match.

To make things worse, Newcastle United fan Steve Chapman led them to a game being played by arch rivals Middlesbrough.

Mr Chapman was in Athens on business, and was delighted to find that he was there on the night Newcastle lined up against Greek side Panionios for a Uefa Cup match last week.

After work, he sped to a bar and joined a group of Newcastle supporters soaking up the atmosphere.

He told his new drinking friends that he knew the way to the stadium by train.

Mr Chapman and one of the fans walked to the railway station and were waiting for a train when they saw two other United fans on the opposite platform.

Trying to help, he warned them they were going in the wrong direction and they joined him.

He said: "When we neared the stadium, we heard noises inside.

"We thought they must have kicked off early but then one of the lads noticed a vendor selling Middlesbrough scarves."

It then dawned on the group they were at the Rizoupoli Stadium, where Boro were taking on Egaleo in the Uefa Cup.

Mr Chapman said: "I couldnot have felt more foolish.

"I realised that when I asked my business colleague how to get to the match, I must not have said which one. I just said 'I'm going to the game'."

The fans took a taxi to the right stadium, but the city's notorious traffic meant they missed more than 20 minutes of the game.