Panathinaikos goalie says he was hit by air gun pellets in derby

Panathinaikos Athens goalie Alexandros Tzorvas Tuesday told a Piraeus prosecutor that he was the target of air gun pellets during Sunday’s derby match at Olympiakos Piraeus.

Tzorvas, who is also the Greek national team goalkeeper, told the prosecutor that he was hit several times and showed marks on his body and presented medical reports.

He said he had informed referee Anastasios Kakos about the attacks but that the official did not record the incidents in his match report.

The prosecutor has requested Olympiakos to provide security camera footage in order to find the culprit.

Panathinaikos on Tuesday sent a detailed letter of protest to the Greek league about the incident which also included a penknife being thrown on the pitch as well as numerous flares.

The start of the match was delayed for more than an hour as unruly Olympiakos fans kept the Panathinaikos team bus from arriving on time as about 300 of them clashed with riot-trained police outside the Karaiskakis Stadium where the derby was held.

The league is expected to punish Olympiakos for the incidents with a heavy fine and possibly forcing the team to play their next home match behind closed doors.

Olympiakos won the match 2-0 and moved ahead of Panathinaikos by one point at the top of the standings.