Greek club Panathinaikos has lost its appeal against a three-point deduction for fan violence at a match against Olympiakos.

The violence at the February 22 game prompted a one-week suspension of the 18-team league, followed by a government decision to ban fans at all stadiums until security standards are improved.

The decision by the Greek Football Association leaves Panathinaikos with 58 points, three behind leader Olympiakos, which has played fewer games.
Panathinaikos was also fined 100,000 euros and ordered to play two additional home games without fans.

The Greens will play a languishing Veria on Monday after succumbing to a 2-0 loss to Atromitos on Thursday. Panathianikos were sore losers, blaming referees for lost chances. Panathinaikos coach Yiannis Anastasiou even refused to make any statements in protest. The loss meant that the Greens threw away their seven match winning streak.

PAOK cut the distance from the Greens to four points, as on the debut of former assistant coach Giorgos Georgiadis as the manager of the Thessaloniki club, substitute Dimitris Papadopoulos scored the only goal of the game for PAOK to beat struggling Ergotelis at home. They travel to take on 13th placed Panthrakikos on Sunday.

The Reds faced the stiff challenge of Asteras but overcame their resistance with a 2-0 win through goals by Chori Dominguez and Costas Fortounis.

Olympiakos also have a game in hand over Panathinaikos. They take on a resurging Kerkyria on Monday, a team that hasn’t lost a match in seven games.

PAS Giannina entered the play-off spots as it has moved above Panetolikos into fifth. The team downed Platanias Hanion 1-0 on the debut of Giorgos Paraschos on the Platanias bench instead of sacked Yiannis Christopoulos, while Panetolikos suffered a 3-0 defeat at Xanthi.

OFI lost 1-0 at home to Panthrakikos but won an appeal allowing it to play the game at Atromitos that had not taken place due to debts to former players.

In other games, Panionios saw off Veria 4-2 and Levadiakos downed Kalloni Lesvou 3-0.

Source: Kathimerini, AFP