The events described in the referees report from the AEK vs PAOK match which was compiled by the Swiss referee, Mr. Stephan Klossner, could be perceived as a peculiar way of exporting our local football culture abroad. The referee may have left us with a bitter taste for his failure to spot an infringement for AEK’s second goal – it appears he became a victim of Mr. Sidiropoulos’s information from the VAR room there – however, his apparent «ignorance of danger» has served him well in the world of Greek football.

The recording of such third world events which took place in the referees’ dressing rooms at the half-time interval which included the invasion of Messrs Melissanidis and Papadopoulos, reveals the privileged immunity enjoyed by certain individuals in the arena of exerting pressure on match officials.

The reference made about the attitude of the police, who not only failed to defend the referees but instead acted as escorts for the intruders, makes it clear that this matter trespasses over the narrow boundaries of football.

These incidents should be investigated by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO), the Central Referees Committee (KED), the Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr. Avgenakis, and the Minister of Public Order, Mr. Chrysochoidis – since this is an unprecedented scandal of lawlessness and crude intervention in the OAKA dressing rooms – and the authorities must make an example out of such behavior with the appropriate punishments.