Panathinaikos has dropped from second to fourth in the Greek Super League following the deduction of three points for the incidents that took place before their derby against Olympiakos.
The disciplinary committee of the Greek Super League handed out a heavy punishment to Panathinaikos for the violent clashes that occurred prior to the November 21 derby with fierce rivals Olympiakos, a game that was ultimately postponed. The punishment included a fine of $283,000.
Hours before kick-off Panathinaikos supporters clashed with police outside the team’s stadium.
Inside the stadium, a flare thrown by a Panathinaikos fan struck Olympiakos player Alfred Finnbogason on the leg while he was walking on the pitch before the warm up.
The highly anticipated derby was then called off, with angry PAO supporters taking to the pitch to fight against the police.
That meant PAO lost the game to Olympiakos 0-3 and was then deducted a further three points which combined with the Greens weekend loss 1-0 to Iraklis in Thessaloniki has left PAO 11 points behind the league leaders.
Olympiakos will be looking to extend that lead tonight when they travel to Kommotini to take on Panthrakikos. A win for Olympiakos will be a big confidence boost going into their all important UEFA Champions League clash against Arsenal next week.
Also on Saturday, fifth placed Asteras Tripolis take on Iraklis, while ninth placed Xanthi host seventh placed Platanias in Thrace.
On Sunday the match of the day will see sixth placed PAOK take on third placed Panionios at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. PAOK, bouncing off an important 1-3 away win last week in Lesbos and a big cup victory midweek, will be confident of a victory that will see them jump Panionios in the table.
Also Sunday Giannena play Levadiakos and Panathinaikos travel north to take on Veria in a crucial game for the Greens.
The final game of the day will see second placed AEK look for their third straight victory when they entertain second last Kalloni at the Athens Olympic Stadium.
AEK’s new coach Gustavo Poyet has switched the team up of late and is confident the team is slowly finding its feet.
On Monday, the final game of this week’s round of fixtures will see Panetolikos take on Atromitos, with both sides desperate for a win as they both sit at the wrong end of the table.