The trial of PAOK PAE owner Ivan Savvidis, who is accused of invading the stadium of Toumba, started with the testimony of witnesses before the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court of Thessaloniki and after continuous postponements, in the much-discussed PAOK match with in March 2018.
Apart from the major shareholder of the “black and white” PAE, the then sports director of “Dikefalos tou Vorras” Loubos Michel and six members of the personal guard of the expatriate businessman were referred to trial for the same case. All defendants are absent from the courtroom and are represented by attorneys-at-law. The indictment charges them with violations related to the Sports Law.
The first to step on the podium was the general manager of AEK, Vassilis Dimitriadis, who said that this match was not a simple game, but it was the match that would decide the championship. As he mentioned, there was the tension that exists in the derbies, nothing was done inside the field, until in the 89th minute “the phase with the disputed goal took place”.
“There was tension. “Initially we protested, then when the goal was canceled, PAOK”, he said and referring to his own actions, he added that he tried to act as a firefighter, to calm the spirits.
Referring to the entrance of Ib. Saddidi, the witness testified: “There was tension and he came in. There were 2-3 people with him, he tried to reach the referee, they said something and left. He said something to me, but in a gentle way, he did not threaten me “. Regarding the weapon that the owner of PAOK FC is accused of carrying, the general manager of AEK said that he did not notice it, as he was wearing a jacket. “I did not realize the weapon, I did not feel fear. In the locker room we returned to, the players said they saw it, but on a “we saw, we heard” level, some were unsure. “There was more concern about the fate of the (canceled) goal,” he noted.
The former international footballer expressed the view that “such protests take place in all countries”, estimating that the entry of the major shareholder of PAOK “may have calmed things down in the stands”, as, as he added, things could develop much worse ” to cause a conflict between the players, for fans to enter the stadium “.
The referee of the match, George Kominis, was then examined, who started his deposition from the point where the decision was made to cancel the goal. “In order for the match to start, the situation had to be normal. I noticed that there was a disturbance on both benches. “We waited for normalcy to return, even if I had to impose disciplinary measures.”
Continuing his testimony, the witness referred to the then sports director of PAOK FC and former international referee Loubos Michel. “Michelle approached me, I was verbally assaulted, she said in English” you are finished “and made some hand gestures. I think this phrase was more of a football slang, that the decision (to cancel the goal) would discount my end from the refereeing. I was not afraid there at the moment, maybe the adrenaline, maybe my almost 20 years of experience … I had to be cool so as not to create a deplorable situation “.
Regarding the entrance of Ib. Savvidis, noted that he saw him coming towards him, “perhaps carried away by Michel,” as he said. “He reached a distance of about 7-10 meters to protest. It is not usual, but it happens that agents enter the stadium “he pointed out, while when asked about the weapon, Mr. Kominis answered:” I did not realize it. I was informed about the weapon by AEK officials. “They were showing something on their cell phones, but at that moment I did not have the opportunity to cross it,” he said characteristically.
Regarding the decision not to continue the match after the withdrawal of the teams in the locker rooms, the witness said that he followed a communication with the organizing authority (Super League) and the officials of EL.AS. “We waited a while for our own safety and that of the contestants. Maybe the Super League wanted more time, maybe the police wanted more order and security. “The police could not guarantee the safe continuation of the fight.”
The evidentiary process continues with the examination of the other prosecution witnesses.
Meanwhile, before the start of the trial, the common defender of Ib. Savvidis and M. Michel objected to the incompetence of the Court, pointing out that the offenses of the Sports Law must be tried by a higher Court and in this case the Three-Member Criminal Court. The objection, however, was rejected.
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