Athens (AFP) – PAOK have been docked three points from next season’s Greek Super League and fined 10,000 euros ($11,353; £7,770) by the Greek federation for failing to show up for their Greek Cup semi-final second leg at Olympiakos on Wednesday.
The Thessaloniki club forfeited the match to Olympiakos 3-0 to protest their punishment after the first leg match on March 3.
That game was abandoned in the 89th minute with the visitors 2-1 ahead when PAOK supporters invaded the pitch and dozens of flares and smoke bombs were thrown from the stands.
The federation then fined PAOK 100,000 euros, docked them three points from next season’s domestic league and ordered them to play three matches behind closed doors.
Olympiakos were also awarded a 3-0 win in the first leg and they will now face AEK in the final at the Athens Olympic Stadium on May 7 as they attempt to win the double.
Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis took the radical measure of cancelling the Cup after the incidents for fear of violence, a move which angered the Greek federation, FIFA and UEFA.
Pressure from FIFA forced Kontonis to back down on his decision with a compromise that the remaining matches be played behind closed doors, including the final.
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