A heated new feud between AEK Athens and PAOK has intensified following recent incidents outside the Nea Filadelfia stadium, after the two teams clashed in a tense match.
The aftermath of the altercation saw a penalty decision that has sparked further controversy and accusations of unequal treatment from football authorities.
The DEAB, the regulatory body known for its strict penalties, surprisingly imposed a €50,000 fine on PAOK for what it described as “serious violence” following the incident in the parking lot after the AEK-PAOK game. The altercation, which involved coaches, players, and club officials, escalated into a chaotic scene with riot police. Despite the severity of the situation, the fine was seen as lenient compared to harsher penalties given to other clubs in similar incidents.
The controversy has only grown after a video emerged showing PAOK’s coach, Razvan Lucescu, along with his players, involved in an aggressive confrontation outside the stadium. The footage, which clearly depicts members of the PAOK team challenging others and engaging in physical altercations, has left few doubts about the nature of the violence. The decision to only impose a fine, rather than a stadium closure or match suspension, has raised questions about the fairness of the penalty.
AEK Athens, not satisfied with the outcome, has launched a strong response. The club issued a statement condemning the “inadequate” punishment, calling for further investigation and demanding that those responsible for the events be held accountable. AEK also expressed concern over the growing sense of injustice and the need for equal treatment in disciplinary actions. They emphasised their commitment to fighting all forms of violence in football and vowed to continue their cooperation with the State, Judiciary, and Greek Police to ensure a fair resolution.
In their statement, AEK warned that any attempts to suppress or falsify the events surrounding the incident would not be tolerated, and they would pursue all legal avenues to secure proper punishment for those responsible.
PAOK, in turn, responded defiantly. The club’s third vice-president, Kyriakos Kyriakos, took to social media to accuse AEK of attempting to exert pressure on regular judges and inflaming the situation. He dismissed AEK’s actions as hypocritical, arguing that the club was using the incident to fuel a narrative of victimhood and attacking PAOK’s reputation. Kyriakos also claimed that AEK was trying to manipulate the public’s perception by focusing only on certain parts of the video, ignoring the broader context.
The escalating war of words between the two clubs has added fuel to an already heated rivalry, with both sides accusing each other of inciting violence and seeking to sway public opinion in their favor. This latest dispute, which follows a similar altercation between the two teams last April, is unlikely to subside anytime soon, as both clubs continue to accuse each other of unfair practices and misconduct.
As the feud grows, fans of both teams remain divided, and many are questioning the role of the Greek football authorities in resolving such disputes. For now, the battle between AEK Athens and PAOK looks set to continue both on and off the field.
(Source: In.gr)