Panathinaikos: “Bennett’s systematic inability to find elite referees, he must resign”

THE failure to appoint an arbitrator from… top shelf in the upcoming derby with Olympiakos at Leoforos was the final straw for Panathinaikos…

With the “green” PAE issuing a statement in which goes against Steve Bennett. Noting on the one hand the inability of the English chief referee to implement his promises for the appointment of elite referees in the playoffs games. And on the other hand asking him to resign!

At the same time, in it, the Dabanovic-Bognar “hostile” arbitrations in the matches of Panathinaikos, while the strong concerns of his people about the fair conduct of this year’s playoffs.

The relevant announcement in detail:

“Panathinaikos has chosen not to complain about the selection of referees, so as not to contribute to the toxic atmosphere before the matches. However, after today’s definition in the derby, we must emphasize that something is not right in the kingdom of Denmark.

We are surprised by the systematic inability – bordering on incompetence – of Mr. Bennett to find elite referees, as we agreed in our recent meeting. If he cannot deliver on his promises, he must resign.

Already in two of the three playoff games we have played, we have witnessed discriminatory refereeing against Panathinaikos: Dabanovic in the match against AEK and Bognar yesterday tolerating unsportsmanlike marking that broke Kleinheisler’s shin, punishing him with a yellow card instead of a red card football player of Mars.

Regardless of the final result, these refereeings represent an alteration of the image of the playoffs, from which the champion will emerge.

Under these circumstances, we express our strong concerns and reservations about the fair conduct of the playoffs”.