Football: PAOK, AEK hit hard for Cup final fights

ATHENS: PAOK Thessaloniki and AEK Athens were slapped with a variety of sanctions Thursday after violent clashes between their fans marred the Greek Cup final last month.

PAOK won the contest 2-1 in the city of Volos in a match that was delayed 50 minutes because of the violence, which resulted in dozens of injuries.

They received a fine of 282,500 euros ($316,000), the reduction of six points from this season's standings and were ordered to play behind closed doors for seven home matches next season in the Super League.

AEK was fined 170,000 euros and ordered to play four home matches next season with no spectators.

PAOK's reduction of points had no real effect in their standings for this season as the squad will play in the Europa Cup qualifiers in the next campaign along with Panathinaikos and Panionios.

On Wednesday the play-off between PAOK, AEK, Panathinaikos and Panionios ended with AEK securing their place in next season's Champions League qualifying rounds with 12 points.

PAOK had finished second with 11 points, but with the reduction they fall to third place with five points while Panathinaikos move to second with eight points. Panionios finished last with four points.

Just four years after being relegated to the lower leagues due to serious financial problems, AEK will go into the Champions League for the first time in a decade, entering in the third qualifying round.

Greek champions Olympiakos had already secured their place in the Champions League third qualifying round.