The Greek Football Federation yesterday postponed a final decision on whether Kavala and Europa League hopefuls Olympiakos Volos should be relegated for their roles in a match-fixing scandal.

Citing the need for more time to study the match-fixing case, the federation’s appeals committee said it will most likely announce its decision next Thursday.

UEFA are awaiting a final decision from Greece before they can decide if Volos, who have Malta forward Andrè Schembri in their ranks, will take their place in the Europa League play-offs.

They were drawn to face France’s Paris Saint-Germain in yesterday’s Europa League draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

However, if the Greek Federation’s appeals committee upholds the decision to relegate them, UEFA would be expected to expel the club from the Europa League.

The Greek Super League said last week Olympiakos Volos and Kavala were each to be relegated to the second division and fined €300,000 for their role in the scandal, while their respective owners, Achilleas Beos and Makis Psomiadis, were banned for life from attending matches.

Beos was arrested in June and accused of being at the centre of a ring that fixed matches so members could make money from betting on the games.

Olympiakos Volos acquired Schembri on a free transfer last month. The Malta striker, who enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Hungarian side Ferencvaros last season, has signed a two-year deal with the Greek side.

Schembri is expected to be included in Malta’s final squad for Wednesday’s home international friendly against the Central African Republic.

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