This season’s Greek Cup was cancelled by the government yesterday after the semi-final first leg between PAOK Salonika and Olympiakos Piraeus was abandoned due to crowd violence.
Violence erupted during Wednesday’s game after a penalty was denied to PAOK.
PAOK players and supporters were incensed by the decision, prompting an explosion of violence as large groups of fans rushed onto the pitch, hurling flares and missiles before being dispersed by riot police.
Greece’s deputy minister for sport Stavros Kontonis had recommended the suspension of all competitive football in the country, but the Super League and the rest of the professional football divisions will continue.
Foxes profit soars
Leicester City’s meteoric rise on the pitch has transpired off of it as well after the English Premier League club posted a record pre-tax annual profit of £26.4 million.
The results point to a most successful financial year in club history to coincide with a fairytale campaign that has seen the Foxes open a three-point lead at the top of the standings with 10 games left to play.
Revenue rose more than three times to £104.4 million from £31.2 million the previous year, after Leicester secured their top-flight status in May 2015.
Herrera pleased with Red Devils resolve
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has issued a rallying cry after his side edged Watford on Wednesday to draw level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, saying the Red Devils were determined to fight for a Champions League spot.
United lacked cohesion against Watford in a match that seemed destined for a goalless draw until Juan Mata’s deft free-kick from 25 metres handed the home side back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since November.
“We have to be honest, we didn’t play so good,” Herrera said.
“(But) we are showing passion that we want to fight until the end, and when we don’t play good, we still have the belief we can win.”
Bilic plays down CLeague hopes
Manager Slaven Bilic has played down West Ham’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League after Wednesday’s 1-0 Premier League win over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Victory over Mauricio Pochettino’s men has put the Hammers, who are sixth in the table, a point behind fourth-placed Man. City, who have a game in hand.
“This season it’s not realistic but there’s nothing wrong with dreaming about it or trying to achieve it,” Bilic said.
“I hope we can aim for Champions League in the future, and long-term I don’t have a problem saying it should be part of the plan.”
Injured Cech ruled out of Spurs derby
Arsenal’s problems mounted as their latest stumble in the Premier League title race on Wednesday was compounded by news goalkeeper Petr Cech will miss tomorrow’s match against arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Cech, who has been one of Arsenal’s best players during a topsy-turvy season, had picked up an injury, ruling him out of the North London derby.
“He (Cech) had a little groin problem before the game and I think he struggled a little bit tonight,” Wenger said.
“He will not play on Saturday... It is a muscle problem... I don’t know for how long he will be out.”
Ronaldo outburst in the past says Pepe
Real Madrid defender Pepe insists his team-mates have healed the wounds from Cristiano Ronaldo’s outburst after the Madrid derby and called on the team to keep on a winning run after beating Levante 3-1.
Pepe sought to draw a line under Ronaldo’s words after the game, telling Canal Plus: “It’s in the past now. We talked about it and we are all in this together, just like the coach said.
“We have to keep working hard and run through walls for this shirt because lots of people around the world suffer when we lose. We have to keep working hard with humility.
“Here the team showed that we can fight a lot, we came under a lot of pressure.”
Brunt out of Euros after knee surgery
Northern Ireland’s West Bromwich Albion defender Chris Brunt will miss the rest of the season and the European Championship in June after undergoing knee surgery, the Premier League club said yesterday
Brunt ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when West Brom beat Crystal Palace 3-2 last Saturday and will miss the next six months after undergoing reconstructive surgery in France, the club said.
Northern Ireland finished top of their qualifying group to reach the European finals for the first time.
They have been drawn in Group C, alongside Germany, Poland and Ukraine for the June 10-July 10 tournament in France.