Olympiakos, Apollon appeal local body’s rematch verdict

Struggling Thessaloniki team declares it will take case to FIFA if necessary

Apollon’s Giorgos Barkoglou celebrates his team’s winning goal late against Olympiakos a fortnight ago. But the outcome is now locked in a legal dispute following Olympiakos’s appeal against the Thessaloniki team for its selection of a recent signing, Austrian international Roman Wallner, whom it argues had already represented two other clubs this season. Apollon says he was on loan at one of these.

Title-contender Olympiakos and relegation-threatened Apollon Kalamaria both filed appeals yesterday against a ruling by the Greek soccer disciplinary committee for a rematch of their encounter played two weekends ago, which the lowly Thessaloniki club won 1-0.

Following its shock loss, Olympiakos appealed to the domestic committee, arguing that the Thessaloniki team’s selection of a recent signing, Austrian international Roman Wallner, was improper because he had already represented two other clubs this season, illegal according to international regulations. Apollon Kalamaria, however, insists that the Austrian’s selection was legal because he was on loan at his previous club. The Thessaloniki team says it will take its case to FIFA, the sport’s international governing body if needed, believing it will find justice there.

“If we have to, we will take this as far as FIFA, and I believe that we will be granted justice there, because we based our action on its regulations, so it’s only logical that we can expect something like this [favorable outcome],” said Christos Gatsis, the head spokesman at Apollon Kalamaria.

The Greek soccer disciplinary committee will not be able to examine the appeals this Wednesday, the only day of the week that it convenes, due to widespread strike action in the country. The hearings have been postponed for next week.

Olympiakos lies second, two points behind Panathinaikos, two-thirds through the season. Currently hovering inside the Super League’s three-team relegation zone, Apollon Kalamaria is second from last, a point behind Veria. Based on the domestic committee’s ruling, both teams have a game in hand.