Greek Cup Final rescheduled for August 30

The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) confirmed that the Greek Cup final between AEK and Olympiacos will take place on August 30 at the Olympic Stadium, but the two clubs have worries concerning new signings.

Last week EPO postponed the match due to fears of organised fan violence, after police discovered gasoline bombs and wooden bats hidden near the stadium where the match was scheduled to take place.

Piraeus based Olympiacos and AEK Athens were scheduled to play on Sunday at George Kamaras Stadium in Athens.

This following statement was released by the EPO on Monday:

The final of the 2019/2020 Greek Cup will be played at the OAKA on August 30, 2020.

Originally, the showpiece game of the competition had been scheduled to be played at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium in Rizoupoli on July 26, but it was subsequently postponed as a consequence of concerns with regard to the arena’s safety. The police stated that it wouldn’t be able to cope with potential scuffles between rival supporters outside of the ground.

Olympiacos had already heavily criticised the EPO’s decision to play the match in Rizoupoli. Nevertheless, after a meeting on Monday, it was revealed that the showdown will instead be staged at the OAKA in Marousi on August 30.

The problems don’t stop there, though.

On August 3, the transfer window will officially open in Greece, and both AEK and Olympiacos are not sure if their new signings will be granted permission to participate in the Greek Cup final as the match is a part of the 2019/2020 season. The EPO has been asked to clear up the matter in the coming days.

In the semi-finals of the tournament, AEK defeated Aris in dramatic circumstances, while Olympiacos saw off the challenge of PAOK in a tough tie. No team except PAOK has won the Greek Cup since 2016 when AEK beat Olympiacos 2-1 at the OAKA.

by Shaun Nicolaides

*For more sports head to AGONASport