AS PAOK representative: “We waited 3-4 years, since the Mystakidis proposal was made there has been pressure from PAOK for no reason”

The reason why he did not accept PAOK amateur Giorgos Venis explained the PAE’s invitation to the meeting today on the subject of the stadium.

THE AS PAOK press representative talk to Metrosport and mentioned that the PAE’s invitation, which he characterized as an ultimatum, arrived on Wednesday at the offices of the Amateur and practically it was difficult to follow all the procedures to be accepted and to make the… appointment.

He emphasized that Erasitechnis is not a closed club, responding to what Giorgos Kouventidis mentioned in the morning, while clarifying that the members of Erasitechnis have great legal responsibilities if something goes wrong in the matter of the new stadium.

Finally, he made sure to leave his clear edge in PAEK PAOK…

“Erasitechnis waited 3-4 years for Nea Toumba and from the day the former president Mr. Katsaris announced the proposal of Mystakidis for Nea Toumba, there is pressure from PAOK PAOK on the matter, for no reason”.

In detail what he said:

Regarding yesterday’s letter from PAEK PAOK to the Prime Minister for the immediate delivery of the memorandum:

“The PAE’s invitation-ultimatum did not come two or three days ago, it came the eve of today’s day during which he wanted the appointment to take place. And practically it could not be done, many members of the administration had scheduled obligations, but this is not the main issue. The Amateur is the first to want to be the new Tuba and has been moving steadily in that direction for some time now. Above all, with respect for the PAOK fans, the history of the club and with absolute awareness that the Amateur is the guardian of the club. Everyone in the Amateur is looking for the best possible solution. They studied the proposals of the committee, but what they wanted and were not ready for today’s appointment was to study the issue from the legal side. For those who don’t know, what applies from the State’s point of view, which OK has given to the operation of the amateur clubs that own the stadiums, is that if the slightest mistake is made, the members of the Amateur are at legal risk, have criminal and civil responsibilities, so they must be very careful what they sign for Nea Toumba”.

For the PAE’s ultimatum letter to the Amateur:



“It is my personal position to call it an ultimatum. When the letter comes on Thursday and says we expect you on Friday, it is implicitly but clearly an ultimatum. The relations of the AS with the PAE have always been cordial and it seems that they have deteriorated lately, there was no reason for it to be like this… The invitation could be made with a personal contact, verbally, by Mrs. Gonchareva who is the CEO of the PAE or another high-ranking official with the president or vice-president of Amateur. As it happened, it was difficult in terms of time for the members of the Board of Directors of Amateur PAOK to be present. Let me say one more thing. An official PAE document was never leaked by the Amateur, but there was an email from the DP to the PAE that was obviously not leaked by the Amateur, it was unfair. There was no reason to leak a simple answer.”

Regarding the subject of the PAE-Amateur meeting which, barring unforeseen circumstances, will take place next week:



“The memorandum submitted by the PAE and the proposal of the Amateur Committee regarding the perspective of how the new Toumba should be will be discussed. The committee’s proposal is advisory and not binding, it was never binding. It is a colossal project, as mentioned in the email sent by the Prime Minister to PAE yesterday. We want to be of help to PAE who knows what needs to be done to start the process even from tomorrow. I’m getting over the odd day and time appointment sent to AS. We must emphasize that the 15 members of the DP have serious criminal and civil responsibilities. Everything has to be done in the best way so we say that a little patience is needed. They are at risk if the slightest mistake is made. Let me give you an example. Let’s leave aside Savvidis and Mystakidis and the supposed rivalry for the stadium which I don’t think exists. Let’s suppose that a big company comes tomorrow, for example Emirates that built Arsenal’s stadium and undertakes to build New Tomba, starts the works and after a while abandons them. Do you know that members will risk jail time? We are talking about very strict legislation. The members must also safeguard the legal part of the construction of the new Toumba, which also concerns them as custodians in terms of legal responsibilities. Each member when he got his hands on the proposals of the technocratic committee asked to check it through his legal advisers because he wants everyone to be sure. They are not afraid, but the matter is very serious. Also, at the beginning of June, if I remember correctly, the Presidential Decree (including the part of the allocation of acres from the Ministry of National Defense fund) for Nea Toumba expires and we must ensure that it will not be lost. Then he needs 4 years to collect the signatures again. Let me give you another piece of news, yesterday Mr. Patridas and Nicolaidis made a suggestion regarding the guarantees that should be in place, it has been given to the members to study. Let me add something. Erasitechnis waited 3-4 years for Nea Toumba and from the day the former president Mr. Katsaris made known the Mystakidis proposal for Nea Toumba, there has been pressure from PAOK PAOK on the matter, for no reason.”

For the deadline of 31/12 to Ivan Savvidis:



“The Amateur doesn’t stick to the deadline, but this also results from the fact that at the beginning of June we have the completion of the Presidential Decree in the part I mentioned to you, and this requires that the works have started by then. These will be discussed at the meeting of the two sides. The Amateur will not leave it to the last minute. Twice in the past, AS with Mr. Katsaris saved Toumba from falling into the hands of people who would never build a new stadium. The Amateur must take good care, whichever investor undertakes, to have the financial guarantees that ensure everything. Custodian is not a title, but the essence. Ivan Savvidis has the lead, of course, that goes without saying.”

As for the Amateur being accused of being a “closed club”:



“My colleague, PAOK PAOK’s press officer, Mr. Kouventidis, I saw that earlier he talked about a closed club. I want to answer this and those who claim it. Anyone who compares the Association’s constitution with others will see how simple it is. With 51 euros one can register and have paid the first year’s subscription together, which is 36 euros. In order to register someone must be recommended by two members who have already been registered as members for three years and each member has the right to register up to ten people per year. The statute is easy to find. PAOK is not a closed club, it didn’t tell anyone “don’t come”. For so many years, PAOK fans, we have been indifferent to becoming members of Erasitechnis. And we are talking about a people who can sell out in Toumba and Palataki at the same time. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe we thought it shouldn’t be done. This may change in the future and the fans of PAOK will fill Erasitechnis. The procedures are very specific and very simple.”

For the money contributed by Ivan Savvidis and PAE to the Amateur:



“Mr. Savvidis has paid with the 250,000 euros he gave last season. The Amateur has not yet received any money for this year, for the 2025-2026 season. It is clearly true that AS has received approximately 20 million euros since Mr. Savvidis took over PAE, as PAE reports, but this has to do with the withdrawal of PAOK Amateur (including the percentages he was entitled to by law). To put it roughly, the amount would be 40 million euros. He wanted the Amateur to help PAE and did not ask for more than what he was legally entitled to, even when PAE’s debts were paid. This money is necessary to operate the Amateur sections with 4000 sportsmen and women, they are needed for the amateur sections, we are not talking about the paid sections. They don’t go into the pockets of Amateur people. Also, let me remind you of something. The first time Mr. Savvidis came to discuss PAOK he had asked for the stadium if you remember and he had not proceeded because there had been a misunderstanding. In 2012, when he took over PAOK, he declared, “We were six years late”. At that time, many of his current defenders accused him of not having a second jacket and blamed him. Along the way, Mr. Savvidis realized that in order to get the stadium you have to do works, the stadium is accompanied by serious legal issues”.

On whether there are underground movements to overthrow the administration of the DP:



“I’ll answer what you know, I know. I don’t think the Amateur to be overthrown. Whenever elections are held again, the voting members must choose another administration. I cannot comment on what goes on behind the scenes. Thessaloniki is a small city, the people of Erasitechnis can learn and know how to protect themselves.”

He concluded by saying:



“We are waiting next week for the appointment to be fixed and I want to say something. The Amateur does not divide anyone. PAOK is one. The world of PAOK is one, there is no Savvidian or Mystakidian. The Amateur must protect the good of the club. And let me emphasize that no one disputes the level at which Mr. Savvidis took the team and where he took it, but we must not forget that in order to find a stadium, the Amateur made sure that it existed.”

For which financial guarantees will the Amateur PAOK request:



“If I were the president I would answer you, it concerns him and the members of the administration and it will be decided in one of the next councils I appreciate.”