AEK farce will surely lead to them being removed from the Europa Cup

The arrangements for the second leg of the Europa League tie between AEK Athens and Dundee United tonight have been farcical. It is difficult to understand how the Greek club have not been removed from the competition but as it is, they may have to play the game in front of none of their own fans.

Complaint

Leading 1-0 from last week’s first leg in Scotland, they looked set fair for fairly simple progress to the next stage but whatever happens now, Dundee United are sure to lodge a serious official complaint about what has gone on.

In fairness to AEK Athens, the Greek Super League has not yet started so it is difficult for them to be totally ready for the tie.

Unsuitable

The Olympic Stadium pitch was deemed to be unsuitable by UEFA and AEK faced the prospect of being thrown out of the competition. However, they met a UEFA deadline to stage the game at a different venue and they agreed to play at the home of fellow Athens Super League Club Palionios.

However, after a game at the ground on Tuesday evening the goalposts were damaged and UEFA are considering playing the game at the home of AEK’s bitter rivals Olympiakos.

Trip

With around six hundred Dundee United fans making the trip, it may be nice for them to know where the game is going to be played!

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson was furious that his team were preparing to leave on Wednesday morning without knowing the venue for Thursday’s match. and he also expressed concern for the safety of United’s travelling fans after it was suggested that a venue outside Athens might be chosen. He pointed to the fact that AEK’s coach, Dusan Bajevic, was recently attacked by a group of his club’s own supporters following a pre-season friendly.

Statement

A statement on United’s website read,

“Initially, it was mooted to sources that the tie would be moved to Volos, some 300 km away. But AEK have now informed the club that the match will take place in Athens.”

However, neighbours Panathinaikos’ ground has been ruled out because of the condition of their pitch, Palionios may be unsuitable due to the goalposts, so it could have to be Olympiakos.

Precedent

UEFA recently set a precedent for circumstances such as these. In July, Andorran champions Santa Coloma had the home leg of their Champions League qualifier against Maltese team Birkirkara postponed due to their pitch being unplayable. UEFA awarded the game to the Birkirkara by a 3-0 score-line and Santa Coloma were fined 10,000 euros and suspended from European competition for two years.

This has been a real mess and at this, the second highest level of the European game, it surely should not have been allowed to happen. It will be interesting to see what action UEFA take against a club the size of AEK Athens. Will they be as harsh as they were to the Andorran champions?