Greece vows action after soccer boss enters pitch armed

[March 12, 2018]  ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's sports minister said on Monday he was preparing to take action after the owner of soccer team PAOK walked onto the pitch while apparently armed to protest over a disallowed goal.

Photographs and footage showed Ivan Savvides, one of Greece's richest men, wearing a holster on his waist containing what appeared to be a revolver when he tried to intervene in the closing minutes of the home clash against Athens side AEK.

Savvides, accompanied by bodyguards, walked onto the pitch at Thessaloniki twice on Sunday, once wearing an overcoat, the second time with the coat off and his holster in plain view. He did not pull out a weapon.

He was held back at one point as he and others remonstrated with the referee, who had disallowed a goal from PAOK's Fernando Varela in the 89th minute. Up to then the match had been a goalless draw.

Images of "persons entering sports grounds armed" harm PAOK and soccer in general, Greek Deputy Culture and Sports Minister Georgios Vassiliadis said in a written statement on Monday.

"Such extreme phenomena call for bold decisions," Vassiliadis said, without elaborating. Greece's state broadcaster ERT said one option being considered was suspending first division fixtures.

"We will not allow anybody to deter us from this path, even if tough decisions are required in consultation with UEFA," Vassiliadis added.

Police said they wanted to question Savvides for unauthorized entry to the soccer pitch but did not mention they wanted to question him on the holster. A police source said the PAOK boss was licensed to carry a firearm.
 

Russian-born Greek businessman and owner of PAOK Salonika, Ivan Savvides (C), pictured with what appears to be a gun in a holster, enters the pitch after the referee annulled a goal of PAOK during their soccer match against AEK Athens in Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece, March 11, 2018. Intimenews via REUTERS

The referee, Georgios Kominis, reviewed his decision after the game and allowed the goal, state TV reported.

Savvides was born in Georgia of Greek heritage and is a former member of the Russian parliament. He has holdings in assets ranging from Thessaloniki port to tobacco and media companies.

Pitch invasions are relatively common during rowdy Greek soccer fixtures.

A derby between PAOK and Olympiakos Piraeus was called off last month after Olympiakos coach Oscar Garcia was hit by a roll of paper thrown from the stands.

Authorities say they are committed to cleaning up the sport.

(Reporting By Michele Kambas and Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Gareth Jones and Andrew Heavens)

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