Elite League: Two matches in Panionio-“Rigidity is running out”, reports KAE

A penalty of two matches behind closed doors was imposed on Panionio for incidents that occurred in the fight with Pan-Erythraean on March 2. This means that Neosmyrniotes will play the last two matches of the regular season in the Elite League without people, against Ayantas Evosmou (23/3) and Esperos Lamias (6/4).

In a statement, the “blue and red” state that they are taking all measures to remove the disturbing elements from the field, but emphasize that they consider that the federation has exhausted its strictness by punishing Panionios again.

The announcement:

Based on decision number 114/19.03.2024 of the First Instance Single Member Judiciary Body of the EEC, PANIONIOS was punished with a disciplinary penalty of two (2) match days behind closed doors, for events that occurred in the match against Panerythraikos (2/3/ 2024) in K.G. Croesus of Persia.

We would also like to inform you that PANIONIOS has been called to an apology for abusive slogans that were heard during the match with Milos (9/3/2024).

On the occasion of these events, we would like to make the following clear:

– The goal of all of us on the field should be to PROTECT the team. The vast majority of PANIONIO’s friends have embraced and support it.

– Until now, KAE PANIONIOS has removed from the stadium four people who were anyway isolated from the majority of the crowd and have been banned from entering any stadium. And this was done without considering the cost or the fact that we would become unpleasant.

– KAE PANIONIOS is the ONLY team in the Errikos Dunan Elite League that has a private security company (Alpha Hellas Security) for EVERY MATCH, which means that we have taken the necessary measures to ensure the smooth conduct of our home matches.

– At some point we ALL (factors, competent Authorities, fans) will have to ask ourselves the following: Do we want the games to be held in full stadiums or empty ones? How does it benefit, for example, a team with a lot of fans, a full stadium in every match to have already been punished with four matches behind closed doors?

-Without any mood of confrontation, we have the right to question the reasons why strictness is being exhausted in PANIONIO while we have read about simple reprimands in cases where stadiums were evacuated. This does not prevent us from self-criticism, but it is still a fact.

-Any team that has a lot of fans should not – automatically – be targeted as “dangerous” for incidents. And such outdated practices, which defame Companies, Associations and Teams, should concern the Organizing Authority.

The intention of KAE PANIONIOS is to pioneer – and not just participate – in a process with FULL stadiums, in a sports atmosphere.

And it is also a given that he does EVERYTHING to make this happen.

We are opposed to EVERY action that is not consistent with the sporting ideal and the spirit of sportsmanship and at the same time we do everything to protect our Team, the organization and the institution.