Panathinaikos have been deducted three points by the Greek Super League for fan violence during Sunday's 2-1 win over league leaders Olympiakos which led to the postponement of league matches this weekend by the government.
In addition, the Athens club were fined 100,000 euros and must play their next two home matches behind closed doors.
The deduction, which was annoynced late Thursday,means that Panathinaikos are now six points behind Olympiakos with nine matches remaining in the season.
“The decision saddens us and is unfair. Per aspera ad astra (a Latin phrase meaning through hardships to the stars,” Panathinaikos said in a statement.
Panathinaikos claim that the trouble on Sunday was instigated by the appearance on the pitch of Olympiakos president Evangelos Marinakis and comments made by Olympiakos coach Vitor Pereira before the derby game.
The Athens club had warned Marinakis not to appear on the pitch.
On Tuesday, officials from the two clubs clashed at a meeting of the Super League intended to bring the two sides together.
Fans invaded the pitch during Sunday's game, firing flares and hurling seats and other missiles.
Before the so-called "derby of the eternal enemies", flares, firecrackers and stones were thrown at Marinakis. He was not hurt.
Just before the start of the second half, a flare hurled by a spectator hit Olympiakos' Swiss midfielder Pajtim Kasami on the shoulder.
A chair was thrown at Pereira, narrowly missing him. About 50 Panathinaikos fans then ran onto the pitch to chase him away.
Riot police fired tear gas to restore order in the ground. Two people were slightly injured during the scuffles which lasted five minutes, media reports said.
Greek football has long been marred by violence. In September matches were halted after a supporter from Ethnikos was killed in Crete during a third division match. In November a referee was attacked and hospitalized.
Source: AFP
GMT 22:27 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Russian swimmer Prigoda takes gold in China with new WR in men’s 200m breaststrokeGMT 11:54 2018 Tuesday ,11 December
Ajax and Bayern in tasty Champions League duel for first placeGMT 17:44 2018 Tuesday ,23 October
Russian UFC Champ Nurmagomedov’s win was "fair and square"GMT 21:29 2018 Friday ,19 October
Moscow to host 2020 European Weightlifting ChampionshipsGMT 16:48 2018 Monday ,15 October
Russian fighter Nurmagomedov may be suspended for six monthsGMT 18:14 2018 Sunday ,07 October
Russia’s Nurmagomedov crushes McGregor, defends UFC titleGMT 17:44 2018 Thursday ,04 October
Underdogs CSKA beat Real Madrid in Moscow while a man downGMT 16:40 2018 Sunday ,02 September
Unified Korean team delivers historic medals, hopesMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor