Club president storms field armed as referee disallowed a goal scored by his team (photos)

macfranc007 March 12, 2018 IFTTT, Latest Sport News | Today on Naija.ng Akan Anwankwo

- PAOK owner, Ivan Savvidis, invaded the pitch to challenge a referee's decision

- It was a match between PAOK and AEK Athens before the fracas occurred

- A derby between two top sides was also disrupted as the match was stopped

Owner of Greek football PAOK, Ivan Savvidis, stormed the pitch armed after the referee disallowed a goal during a match against AEK Athens in Thessaloniki.

Savvidis was accompanied onto the pitch by bodyguards who wore a holster containing what appeared to be a revolver, though he did not remove it during the ensuing fracas.

Greece's sports minister has promised to take bold decisions after the owner of the football club went on to the pitch while armed to protest the disallowed goal.

PAOK president storms pitch after his side's goal was ruled out

Players and officials try to stop Ivan Savvidis when he invaded the field. Photo Credit: Mirror

However the referee finally allowed the goal about two hours later, state TV reported.

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

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

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

The match was delayed after the fracas occurred. Photo Credit: Mirror

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AEK's Spanish coach Manolo Jimenez said: "He threatened the referee right in front of me. According to my interpreter, he told him: 'You're finished as a referee'."

Savvidis who is one of the richest men in Greece was born in Georgia of Greek heritage and is a former member of the Russian parliament. He also has holdings in assets ranging from Thessaloniki port to tobacco and media companies.

PAOK president storms pitch after his side's goal was ruled out. Photo Credit: Mirror

Matches in the Greek league have also been marred by violence. Recently 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.

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