AEK facing punishment of several matches behind closed doors
As a result of clashes between police and hooligans outside of the Olympic Stadium, AEK are facing the possibility of playing several matches behind closed doors.
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On Sunday, AEK played to a rather uneventful 0-0 draw with Olympiacos in Athens, but the game was overshadowed by violent clashes between hooligans and police on the OAKA’s large territory. According to reports, policemen were injured during the fight, as several flares and molotov cocktails were allegedly used by AEK fans. These images display a police car having been burnt out:
It has now been confirmed that if there is enough evidence to prove that property was damaged, AEK will be punished with a stadium ban stretching from two to four games. AEK will compete in two further home matches during the Super League regular season against Panathinaikos (February 9) and OFI (February 23).
Last season, AEK had to play league games behind closed doors in Athens after violence was witnessed during the same fixture against Olympiacos. AEK have stated that they shouldn’t receive any punishments due to the fact that fights between police and hooligans took place far away from the main Olympic Stadium itself.
The incident on Sunday did happen next to the OAKA Indoor Hall, which is used for basketball matches.
AEK CONSIDERING USING GEORGIOS KAMARAS STADIUM
The likelihood of AEK receiving a new stadium ban has provoked the club into considering moving into the Georgios Kamaras Stadium for the start of the 2020/2021 campaign.
AEK would then play in Rizoupoli until the Agia Sofia Stadium in nearby Nea Filadelfeia is ready for use. Reports have suggested that AEK will begin playing at their new arena at the start of 2021.
The Kitrinomavri management stated that the sheer size of the OAKA territory is too big for the club to completely control, something which continues to result in the organisation receiving punishments for incidents which occur a long distance away from the football stadium. This season, AEK did hold one match in Rizoupoli, defeating Volos NFC 3-2 in the Super League in front of a near sold-out crowd.
