Infuriated soccer fans bite off ears of pub owner in Greece

A man in Crete unwillingly sacrificed both of his ears trying to stop a fight between soccer fans in his pub, Greek television said Wednesday.

The fight erupted in a pub owned by Dimitris Tsibibakis following Greece's 4:1 humiliating defeat by Turkey in the 2008 Euro-Cup qualifier.

The Greek television said Bulgarian expatriates began chanting support for the Turkish team in the pub after another goal was scored, and pub locals retaliated, sparking the fight. The pub owner tried to prevent the brawl and was immediately thrown to the floor.

"One of them dug his teeth onto my ear, and another began chewing the other ear," Tsibibakis said, adding he managed to keep the ears and now requires plastic surgery.

Police have arrested three of the fighters and are looking for the fourth.

The Greek soccer team could face sanctions from international soccer authorities following the behavior of Greek fans who threw objects and flares at the Turkish players and referee during the Athens game.

Turkish fans were more ingenuous and crashed the Web site of the Hellenic Football Federation prior to kickoff.