The objective issue with the need to deliver it OPAP Arena to UEFA no later than May 14 (ahead of the Europa Conference League final), AEK asked at the Stoiximan Super League meeting for Olympiakos’ request – which was rejected – to postpone the 23rd matchday.
The vice-president and managing director of double Greece, George Kosmasinitially expressed AEK’s wish that Olympiacos and PAOK advance to this year’s Conference, stressing that in all similar cases the “yellow and black” PAE has agreed to facilitate teams that submit a relevant request.
But he explained that the “Union” is forced to vote against given his side suffocating scheduleon the other hand of the aforementioned deadline for the delivery of its pitch.
From then on, Giorgos Kosmas – also addressing the vice-president of Olympiakos – emphasized that the “Union” it is not possible to waive the right to play the last game of the playoffs at homewhich may be crucial for the title battle.
He also emphasized that they cannot be created conditions of inequality in Greek football, while he noted that AEK did not request similar facilitiesciting instances where she also had a terribly demanding schedule in the midst of her major European matches.
In detail, the position of Giorgos Kosmas at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the League:
“First of all, as PAE AEK we would like to express the wish that both teams reach as high as possible for the interest of Greek football. This is a permanent principle of AEK. For this reason, PAE AEK in all similar cases has accepted to facilitate teams that submit a relevant request and participate in European competitions, mostly with keys. However, this is a process that takes place mainly at the beginning of the championship. At the point where we are now, that is, in the final stretch of the championship, having already almost exhausted the postponements that we could get in the championship, seeing both the suffocating schedule ahead of us and the empty dates, we come to a certain conclusion.
As you know, AEK will host the Conference League final at its stadium. We have to hand over the stadium to UEFA on May 14 at the latest. This is the agreement we have signed with UEFA, because certain works need to be done and the stadium and its image shaped according to the requirements of the final. There is a lot to be done and hundreds of people are scheduled to come to work on it. Any postponement, which is very likely because the CAP provides for it, is only given if the teams reach the “8” stage and beyond. This is a prediction that all teams have requested for this phase, not earlier.
The postponement will therefore automatically be given if Olympiacos and PAOK reach the “8”. We wish them the best, but in this case the championship can be thrown into the air as far as we are concerned and there will be complete inequality at the expense of AEK because if the draw brings us to play our last game in New Philadelphia, we will look for a field to play. There is already a huge issue here.
So we cannot approve this request under any circumstances, undermining the interests of AEK and jeopardizing a European final of global scope and interest. Our pitch must be ready. The same with New Philadelphia, Athens and Attica. All of us must be completely consistent with the commitments we have made to UEFA.
I remind you that AEK never asked for similar facilities. You all remember that under the weight of the brutal murder of our fan outside our stadium, AEK was invited and played without asking anyone for six matches in 20 days in August. Crucial games, million games, high prestige and prestige games. We didn’t ask for a postponement. The same happened in September. We were playing all the games that long with 10 and 12 absent due to injuries. We never asked for anything like that. We understand that the two teams must be facilitated, but unequal conditions cannot be created in Greek football. The future of our team in the league cannot be at stake, but also a European final that AEK has the honor of hosting and for that it must hand over its stadium on May 14.
If this postponement is granted and given that the two teams can reach the “8”, this is already at stake due to the lack of empty dates.
For these reasons we cannot consent to this particular request. It’s a practical matter. If we accept it for the “32” phase, we will reasonably accept it for the “16” phase, we will automatically accept it based on CAP and for the “8” phase. When will we finish? In June; Is this a serious league picture? In which European country besides Hungary does this happen? Are the English, the Germans, the Spanish, the Italians procrastinating? All but Hungary and Ferencvaros are playing».
It should be noted that when the vice president of Olympiakos suggested that AEK get a key number in the playoffs draw to play their last away game and not have a problem with their stadium, Giorgos Kosmas responded by saying: “I’m sure you wouldn’t give up the right, the privilege and the opportunity to have your last potentially title-clinching game at home. This is directly against the interests of our group. This is obvious. Just because we don’t know the draw and we couldn’t rule out that possibility».
Source: Sport Fm
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