PAOK would like to express in the most official and categorical way the club’s opposition to today’s announcement by the Stoiximan Super League regarding its involvement in the appointment of referees for the Play Offs.

Although we are a member of the cooperative and we are particularly interested in equality in the remaining matches, we were neither informed, nor do we agree that Mr. Clattenberg should have the slightest involvement – and even through a window – in the selection of referees.

We have agreed and insist that the referees of the crucial remaining matches must be of a high standard. Any decision on this, however, belongs to the professional football committee of the EPO, which alone can meet and decide on the request for the Stoiximan Super League to be involved in the selection of referees.

The Central Committee of Referees (KED) is solely responsible for the selection of referees and the only external factors that can assist their work are UEFA and its referees committee. In no case are the Stoiximan Super League, which is always run by a president or a team executive – resulting in a question of bias, especially when that team is a contender for the championship – allowed to intervene.

Mr. Marinakis can hold as many meetings as he deems appropriate to defend the interests of his team, as president of Olympiacos, however, he cannot abuse his role as president of the cooperative of all teams, without a prior decision of the Stoiximan Super League board.