By Panos Bletsos
October 1 – Having not played an international home game in front of their fans for more than 13 months, Greek outfit PAOK are hoping to welcome Israel’s Maccabi Haifa to a packed Toumba ground on October 24, having lodged an appeal against UEFA’s decision to extend their home ban on fans to four matches following “irregularities” during the UEFA Champions League play-off clash against Schalke.
PAOK were originally handed a punishment of three European home games behind closed doors by UEFA last year after crowd trouble prior to kick-off of their Europa League encounter with Rapid Vienna in August 2012 (2-1). The Greeks were than hammered 3-0 in Austria and returned to Europe this year, taking on Metalist Kharkiv, Schalke and Shakhter Karagandy in front of empty seats, as per the ban.
But not all the seats were empty, as according to UEFA the 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Germans was attended by some 40 fans over the limit of 75 people allowed inside the ground.
The extra spectators, all PAOK fans, were said to have gained access by buying tickets from Schalke supporters or by obtaining invitations allocated by UEFA to tournament sponsors and TV networks covering the match.
PAOK was subsequently ordered to play one more home game behind closed doors, the Europa League clash against the Israelis next month.
The Greeks are arguing that the UEFA delegate was immediately informed by club officials and therefore the ban should be scrapped.
PAOK will also appeal against the three-match touchline ban imposed on their coach Huub Stevens, who was sent off by fellow Dutchman Björn Kuipers during the Schalke game. A decision by UEFA’s Appeals Body is expected by next week.
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