Major changes coming if Olympiacos and PAOK sentenced to relegation
AGONAsport analyses the scenario of Olympiacos and PAOK being demoted to the Super League 2 if the courts sentence the clubs to relegation.
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The possibility of both Olympiacos and PAOK both being relegated to the Super League 2 is, of course, slim, to say the least. Let’s not forget that the Hellenic state has already intervened to abolish the relegation punishment for multi-ownership in a bid to prevent clubs like PAOK suffering demotion. However, it is still technically possible, with Olympiacos appealing to the CAS to see PAOK relegated while the Erythrolefki themselves are facing corruption charges.
The Ethics Committee of the Hellenic Football Federation recently submitted a recommendation for Olympiacos to be relegated as a consequence of fixing matches in the 2014/2015 season. Atromitos have been threatened with demotion for the same violation.
Olympiacos have also appealed to the CAS for Xanthi to be relegated. In late 2019, the Piraeus-based organisation accused Greek-Russian businessman Ivan Savvidis of owning Xanthi and PAOK, with the courts in Greece agreeing. PAOK and Xanthi were subsequently handed points deductions for the offence, but Olympiacos are demanding that the pair are relegated instead.
Greek football would naturally be turned upside down in the event that Olympiacos and PAOK are sentenced to relegation. According to information provided by Transfermarkt, Olympiacos and PAOK hold almost half of the total Super League market value of 246.8 million euros, with the former’s squad value standing at 59.58 million and the latter’s at 53.2 million. In stark contrast, the combined value of AEK is only 27.78 million, Panathinaikos’ is 18.9 million, and Aris’ total is a mere 10.55 million. Alongside the league becoming short of money, attendance would dramatically decrease in the Super League as well, with Olympiacos and PAOK regularly playing in front of full stadiums.
It comes as no surprise that the two clubs in question hold the largest budgets in Greece.
Naturally, if Olympiacos and PAOK were relegated, major changes would likely happen to the roster, with the vast majority of players unwilling to compete in the Super League 2. It’s also worth taking into account that Olympiacos owner, Evangelos Marinakis, will be banned from footballing activities for life if the Thrylos are deemed guilty of match-fixing.
Decisions concerning the two cases are expected to be made as the summer progresses. Furthermore, if Olympiacos are sentenced to relegation, they will then take the matter to the CAS.
