Greek Super League clubs hit dead end with players over contract negotiations

The Hellenic Professional Footballers Union (PSAP) once again rejected the terms proposed by the Board of Directors, with talks between the two parties being pushed back for a later date

Super League players remain at a deadlock with the club owners. Photo: AMNA

13 May 2020 3:08pm

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It remains unknown when the Greek Super League teams will enter the pitch to complete the season, as they remain stuck in a struggle with their players over discussions regarding the amount that will be cut from their contract from the current season, considering the time they spent without playing due to the coronavirus restrictions but also the significant losses suffered by the clubs themselves during that time.

The most recent meeting between the representatives of the Greek Super League and the Hellenic Professional Footballers Union (PSAP) ended as the latter found the proposal for a 25 percent reduction to be unacceptable.

The club association announced that the two sides will resume their talks sometime during the week in order to find common ground, with FIFA pressuring them to come to an agreement, in what is a final obstacle before the decision on a date to resume the league.

PEDRO MARTINS TO STAY WITH OLYMPIACOS FOR YET ANOTHER SEASON

Meanwhile, Olympiacos have announced the extension of club manager Pedro Martins’ contract with the club until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Portuguese capitalised on his team’s excellent European and domestic performances including the disqualification of Arsenal at the Emirates for the round of 32 of the Europa League but also the 0-1 win at Toumba against PAOK.

Another reason that led to the extension of Martins’ contract was the exceptional use of the players he has in his squad, with Daniel Podence being sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers for an amount of over 20 million Euros and Kostantinos Tsimikas having gained the attention of many European clubs such as Napoli and Lazio.

During an interview, the 49-year-old pointed out that one of the main reasons behind his decision to renew his contract with the club was the respect and appreciation he feels from everyone, adding that he feels his mission at Piraeus has not yet been completed.

FIFA IMPOSE BAN ON ARIS TRANFERS DUE TO OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS

At the same time, at Aris, the situation seems to be getting worse by the minute, after a complaint made by two of the club’s former players and their representatives for debts that had yet to be paid to them led FIFA to forbid the club from signing any players for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, with the contracts of 14 players having their expiration date at the end of the current season, the Thessaloniki club could be placed in a very awkward position in regards to who they’ll have available for the 2020/21 competition.

Yet from their part, the Aris board don’t seem to be caught off guard by this announcement and are already preparing to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), indicating their optimism for the outcome:

“The decision by FIFA was to be expected,” read a press statement released by the club. “FIFA didn’t accept our positions, which is why the ban remains. We have already asked for the thought process behind their decision in order to appeal to the CAS, where we believe we will be vindicated.”