Stavros Mandalos: “This is how it was decided to change the referee team at AEK-Aris”

In the case of the Polish referees in AEK-Aris, the Stavros Mandalos.

In particular, the KED member explained how Steve Bennett arrived at the change of the refereeing team, referring in detail to what he knows about the incident.

In detail, Stavros Mandalos spoke to “Open Trial” about:

-The incident: “On Saturday night around 10:30, even though the plane had arrived, there was a delay regarding the departure of the referees. KED has told Diamantopoulos to be the escort of the referee team and to wait for them at the airport and take them to the airport after the match. He called me in the evening and told me that we had an incident and I should know about it. Two passengers on the same flight protested, clashed with the referees. The police came, they tried to calm the situation down, they were asked to file a lawsuit. With the handling of Diamantopoulos, things calmed down. They got into the van to be driven to the hotel. The passengers claimed that they were drunk and that they had consumed large amounts of alcohol on the plane. Others were said which are not confirmed. Diamantopoulos confirmed that there was a commotion as he had to go to the baggage area to see why there was so much commotion. They were very upset and kept saying that this is not possible and how the story was caused in the first place. Diamantopoulos stated that their situation was not appropriate. He couldn’t have known if they were drunk or not and he informed me straight away and I then informed Mr. Bennett who is in charge of definitions. That night he didn’t do anything, he was with them the next morning at the hotel, to see their side».

– what they told him: “I don’t know what they told him exactly but what I only know is that when their conversation was over he took me to tell me that I will change the diet team, I don’t want to risk their participation because I see things have taken a turn that they shouldn’t and it won’t be convenient for anyone».

-that it cannot revoke definitions without CAP and without regulation: “He is in charge of the definitions and I cannot know what he assessed, what he discussed and what was done with the diet team and what he considered to be a risk. I was really surprised when he told me that he was going to change the diet group and we thought it was good to let him choose what he wanted and make the change».

– that AEK and Aris agreed on the change: “It is true that both AEK and Aris agreed to change the referee and Mr. Bennett to appoint a Greek referee. There are recorded applications how they agree to hold the match and agreed to appoint a Greek refereeing team. First he got the written acceptance of the two groups. No league or team can dictate to the head referee which referee to use. He judged how something was and something will follow. We don’t know where this case will go. He thought he shouldn’t take any chances».

-whether something similar has happened before with drunk referees: “I don’t remember any drunk referees ever again. There is no breathalyzer in the regulation. Alcohol is not allowed, the federation also takes an important position and I believe that there will be disciplinary consequences. The behavior was not appropriate whether they had consumed or not. I heard the referee say that ”I wanted to kill him…” to the passenger. To say it means that you are not at peace, therefore the behavior is not the right one».

-whether they were drunk or drunk: “Because I was not present nor to claim that there was intoxication. I say and assert that their behavior was not what the federation of each country prescribes. The referee must pay attention to the smallest detail before and after the match. Their behavior was problematic in my own eyes, whether they consumed alcohol or not, I cannot know.

The referees know very well that after the definition they have to be very careful even on the field during training. After the match we might all have gone out and had a drink but after the match. And this even if we were doing well because otherwise we would be locked in the house for three days because we couldn’t move around».

-if he knows the referee: “I don’t know him personally like most of those who have come. I am not concerned with the definitions of the A’ National Team».

-that Bennett referred to him as vice president: “Mr. Bennett was right to say it and claim it. It’s like that. The vice president of arbitration but does not deal with the definitions. Mr Bennett on the appointment of referees and his assistants and Joao Capela on VARs in Superleague and Superleague 2. There is a third. Austrian Mr. Fringe analyzing and making his observations and giving them to Mr. Bennett».