Majority of teams in favour of Super League resumption
The majority of clubs are in favour of resuming the 2019/2020 Super League season, but major doubts have been expressed by Panathinaikos and PAOK.
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Starting from May 4, the Hellenic state will begin the gradual relaxing of social restrictions, but there is no fixed date concerning the resumption of training sessions and official matches. Panathinaikos owner, Giannis Alafouzos, previously suggested that the 2019/2020 season should permanently end now.
On Wednesday, a crucial video conference took place between representatives of all Super League teams, as the parties discussed the issue of either restarting or cancelling the season.
Olympiacos, AEK, OFI, Aris, Atromitos, AE Larissa, Asteras Tripolis, Lamia, Volos NFC, Xanthi and the representative of the Hellenic Football Federation all stated that they are in favour of the championship resuming.
However, Alafouzos once again made it clear that he doesn’t want the 2019/2020 season to resume: “If the championship starts again, we will lose more than we will gain. They have ended the season in Belgium and the Netherlands. Italy and England seem to be on the same path. All cafes have ended their Nova subscriptions, so Nova will ask for their money back from us. It will be dangerous for us to play. What will we do? Will we put pressure on ministers to allow team trainings to begin again?”
Panetolikos and Panionios were in agreement with Alafouzos’ statements.
PAOK vice-president, Makis Gagatsis, expressed his reservations concerning the possible resumption of the campaign: “There is certainly a need for a time limit, teams can’t wait forever. The health of the players and staff cannot be endangered. If some people are infected with the coronavirus, what will we do? The risk is great. There is no point in individual training, because this is a team sport. We need to make a concrete decision.”
Reports have suggested that the next Board of Directors conference will take place towards the end of May. The Super League organisation will also submit a request to the government with regard to teams training together.
The target of training in May and playing in June remains.
As a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, the start of the Super League playoffs and playouts was indefinitely suspended during the first half of March, with the regular season having already been completed. Olympiacos, PAOK, AEK, Panathinaikos, OFI and Aris qualified for the championship playoffs, while Atromitos, AEL, Asteras Tripolis, Lamia, Volos, Xanthi, Panetolikos and Panionios dropped into the relegation playouts.
