OFFICIAL: AEK refuse to appeal against PAOK
AEK won’t press charges against PAOK for the lack of 12 medical certificates, the Athens-based club confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
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This following statement was released by AEK:
“AEK FC announces that it won’t exercise its legal right of objecting the validity of the match against PAOK.
“The unprecedented case of the illegal participation of 12 players of our opponent, due to the non-renewal of their health certificates, and the possibility of participating in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers do not change our beliefs.
“No negotiation or financial gain, no matter how great, will divert us from our path which we have been following relentlessly for almost a century.
“Our team’s belief that games are won and lost on the field will never change and cannot be altered, even in the face of achieving such an important goal.
“The specific reason for the possible objection comes into direct conflict with the values of AEK! Our morals are above everything!
“The paradox of our decision for many, which goes against the morals which are shown in our country’s football, especially recently, will be a point of reference and pride not only for AEK supporters, but also for all Greek fans.
“Let’s hope that our small step will turn into a leap towards the complete change of the direction which our football is moving in.”
On Wednesday evening, AEK were held to a 0-0 draw at the Olympic Stadium in the Super League playoffs by PAOK, but it was subsequently revealed that 12 visiting players were lacking their required medical certificates. Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Fernando Varela, Dimitris Giannoulis, Mauricio, Christos Tzolis, Chuba Akpom, Leo Matos, Enea Mihaj, Zivko Zivkovic, Vieirinha, Dimitris Limnios and Miroslav Stoch were the players in question.
PAOK are currently three points above AEK in second position with one round remaining. However, if AEK would have submitted an appeal against the validity of the game, a punishment of a 0-3 technical defeat and a further three-point deduction would have been issued to PAOK. This would consequently have resulted in AEK securing second spot and a berth in the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.
Nevertheless, AEK supremo Dimitris Melissanidis instead decided to stick to his morals, in turn letting PAOK off the hook. AEK now have to beat Olympiacos in Piraeus on Sunday and hope that PAOK lose to Aris at home in order to qualify for the Champions League.
PAOK have today ensured that all of their players’ medical documentation is in place for the upcoming match against Aris at the Toumba Stadium.
