The die was cast on Wednesday for the troubled AEK Athens FC – Dundee United match on Thursday, as the Karaiskaki stadium in southern coastal Athens will serve as the long-sought venue for the second leg of the UEFA Europa League qualifier.
Although final UEFA approval is pending, both teams should breathe a sigh of relief, as the 33,500-seat Karaiskaki Stadium — the home field for Olympiacos Piraeus — is a purpose-built football venue constructed just ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games.
Additionally, only Dundee United supporters will be on hand, as AEK Athens’ management has decided not to open the stands for its own fans. The popular Athens club can still bring along an unspecified number of team officials, sponsors and VIP guests, however.
Wednesday’s development follows the unprecedented thrashing of another Athens field on Tuesday afternoon by hooligans bent on preventing the AEK-Dundee match from taking place there.
The 11,500-seat but sub-par Nea Smyrni field, home to mid-level Panionios Athens, would have served as the venue had it not been vandalised.
(source: ana-mpa)
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