PAOK president invades pitch with gun after disallowed goal

Greece indefinitely suspended its Superleague fixtures as a result.

Ivan Savvidis twice marched on to the field with bodyguards after the referee had ruled out Fernando Varela’s header for offside in the 90th minute – a goal that would have snatched a 1-0 win and closed the gap between PAOK in third and league leaders AEK.

On the second protest, after removing his coat, a pistol appeared to be in a holster at his side. He was eventually restrained amid angry scenes on the pitch and the stands.

The match officials were ushered down the tunnel while chaos continued on the pitch, with the game eventually abandoned two hours after the initial melee.

Incredibly, the goal was reportedly awarded after the match, with PAOK and AEK claiming the game finished 1-0 – but confusion reigns as the Superleague’s official website recorded the result as a goalless draw.

"Right now we are leaving the stadium escorted by the police," AEK coach Manolo Jimenez was quoted as saying by Onda Cero.

"The referee has invalidated the goal of PAOK for offside, there was a brawl of players and many people entered the field, including their president with bodyguards.

"After the invasion, the referee has gone inside and after two hours wanted to resume. We said no. The shame is that in the end the referee has given them the goal, after all that has happened.

"We learned later that the president had a gun, we did not see it there on the pitch."

Greek fixtures are frequently marred by violence. A derby between PAOK and Olympiakos was called off last month after Olympiakos coach Oscar Garcia was hit by a roll of paper thrown from the stands.

"We have decided to interrupt the championship... It won't start again unless there is a clear framework, agreed by all, to move forward with conditions and rules," Greek Deputy Culture and Sports Minister Georgios Vassiliadis said.