The Professional Sports Commission decided not to issue a license to Olympiakos Volou and Kavala on Tuesday, effectively relegating them to the fourth division by dissolving their professional clubs. The decision practically means the postponement of the start of the Super League, originally scheduled for this weekend (August 27-28).
The Commission denied the two clubs a permit after meeting for seven and a half hours on Tuesday, deciding that neither Kavala nor Olympiakos Volou had made any substantial changes to their ownership status following the life ban on their owners, Makis Psomiadis and Achilleas Beos, respectively.
Both men have received a ban by sports justice for their part in the match-fixing scandal.
As a result the two clubs are being sent directly to the fourth division, and their place is supposed to be taken by the fourth and fifth clubs in last season’s second division, i.e. Levadiakos and Doxa Dramas.
There is no option for Kavala and Olympiakos Volou to appeal the decision, unless they resort to the Council of the State.
“We are determined to put an end to violence and corruption in Greek soccer. The commission’s decisions are in the right direction, and those who underestimate it are wrong,” commented Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos, whose portfolio also includes sports.
There are already reports of violence in the city of Volos, with fans burning flags of the ruling PASOK party and attacking the office of the local Panathinaikos fan club.
These fans are frustrated by the decision and, unwilling to retreat, started a fight with riot police to express their strong dissatisfaction, burning cans, lighting fires, and throwing stones at police. The authorities responded with chemicals.
(source: sport in greece)
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