AEK, Olympiacos to contest Greek Cup without new signings

In accordance with FIFA legislation, AEK and Olympiacos won’t be allowed to register their new summer signings for action in the upcoming Greek Cup final on August 30.

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The consequences of the Hellenic Football Federation’s sheer incompetence with regard to the staging of the Greek Cup final are becoming increasingly clear. Originally, the final of the 2019/2020 competition between AEK and Olympiacos was due to be held on July 26 at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium, but it was subsequently postponed as a consequence of the authorities not being able to guarantee the safety of the participants and fans outside of the ground. The match is now scheduled to be played on August 30 at the Olympic Stadium in Marousi without supporters inside the venue.

During the current transfer window, both AEK and Olympiacos have lost important players from their squad, but FIFA legislation has confirmed that the two teams won’t be able to field new signings in the final:

“Αrticle 6 paragraph 2 of the RSTP (Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players)

“In order to give priority to clubs to complete their (2019/2020) season with their original squad, provide flexibility, and allow MAs (member associations) to properly plan their football calendar, those MAs following a dual-year calendar are permitted to commence the 'first registration period' for the 2020-2021 season prior to the completion of the 2019-2020 season, subject to the following conditions:

“i) the 'first registration period' for the 2020-2021 season may overlap the final rounds of the 2019-2020 season for a maximum of three weeks.

“ii) during the portion of the 'first registration period' for the 2020-21 season which overlaps with the final rounds of the 2019-20 season

“a) the transfer of a player between clubs is permitted. The player shall only be eligible to participate in domestic competitions for their new club in the 2020/21 season.

“b) the engagement of an out-of-contract player is permitted. The player shall only be eligible to participate in domestic competitions for their new club in the 2020/21 season.”

Let’s take a look at the state of play for the two clubs:

OLYMPIACOS

As expected, Pedro Martins’ squad will certainly have a different look to it in the 2020/2021 season, with key full-backs Konstantinos Tsimikas and Omar Elabdellaoui having already left the Erythrolefki. Reacting to their departures, Olympiacos have signed Jose Holebas and Rafinha as replacements on free transfers, but the pair will have to sit on the sidelines against AEK. Ogmundur Kristinsson and Apostolos Apostolopoulos also won’t be eligible to participate in the game.

The same applies for any more new signings from now to August 30.

Lazaros Christodopoulos and Bruno Gaspar are other notable departures from Olympiacos.

AEK

FIFA’s ruling hasn’t been warmly greeted by AEK either. Since the Super League season ended in July, Vasilis Barkas, Niklas Hult, Viktor Klonaridis and Sergio Araujo have all left the Athens-based organisation, but they now know that arrivals Emanuel Insua, Bright Enobakhare, Giannis Iatroudis and Petar Karaklajic won’t be allowed to take to the field against Olympiacos. Furthermore, in another blow to Massimo Carrera, Polish midfielder Damian Szymanski has been ruled out of the final after receiving an injury in training. The Italian coach will indeed have a thin squad to choose from in the showdown.

Olympiacos, the reigning Super League champions, are aiming to complete the domestic double. AEK, however, are hoping to snap their three-year losing streak in the final of the Greek Cup.

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