OFFICIAL: AEK to play two matches behind closed doors, Melissanidis hit with eight-month ban
AEK will have to play two home matches behind closed doors as a result of incidents during the Greek Cup semi-final against Aris, while Dimitris Melissanidis has received an eight-month ban for his behaviour in the same game.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
In early March, AEK hosted Aris at the Olympic Stadium in the first leg of the Greek Cup semi-final tie, claiming a tense 2-1 victory with Petros Mantalos and Ognjen Vranjes hitting the target. However, while Vranjes was celebrating his marker, Aris coach, Lazaros Vardakis, fell to the floor after appearing to be hit. Aris initially wanted to walk off the pitch before they were persuaded to continue playing.
Portuguese referee, Artur Soares Dias, had also delayed the start of the second half by around 25 minutes for no given reason.
It was subsequently revealed that AEK owner, Dimitris Melissanidis, entered the referee’s dressing room during the half-time break, an incident which consequently prevented the second stanza from beginning on time.
On Wednesday, the Disciplinary Committee of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) revealed its decision concerning the two incidents in question, punishing AEK with a two-game stadium ban and banning Melissanidis from attending football matches for eight months. Fines of 68,000 and 20,000 euros respectively have also been issued:
“A punishment of a fine of sixty-eight thousand (68,000) euros and a stadium ban for two (2) matches for AEK FC. An entry ban for all stadiums on Greek territory for eight (8) months and a fine of twenty thousand (20,000) euros for Dimitris Melissanidis.”
The EPO found enough evidence to declare that Vardakis had been injured as a consequence of AEK supporters surrounding the part of the pitch where he was standing with Aris substitutes.
Originally, the second leg of the semi-final was due to be played in late April in Thessaloniki, but the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the Greek Cup being indefinitely suspended.
