A disputed goal at the end of a
match in the Greek Superleague between Paok Salonika and AEK Athens has led
to a pitch invasion by one of the team owners, who appeared to be carrying a
gun.
Fernando Varela scored with a
header in the 90th minute, putting the home team, Paok, ahead 1-0 and on course
to close the gap between themselves in third spot and leaders AEK. The referee signalled a goal but
then seemed to disallow it for offside.
Paok’s owner, the businessman
Ivan Savvidis, came on the field twice and was accompanied by bodyguards. On
the second occasion, without the overcoat he was wearing before, Savvidis
appeared to be carrying a pistol which was in its holder.
AEK officials claimed Savvidis threatened the referee during his first foray
onto the pitch, before being pulled away.
The game was suspended and the
crowd was told to disperse. Adding to the widespread confusion, there were
claims that the referee, Giorgos Kominis, had allowed the goal.
The Superleague’s website recorded the
match as a 0-0 draw and showed AEK still leading the table on 55 points, with
Olympiacos in second on 53 points and Paok still in third on 50. An official statement was
expected from the league.
Source: Guardian.