Shot down

PAOK president Ivan Savvidis banned for three years for carrying a gun onto the pitch against AEK Athens

Greek club have also been fined and docked three Superleague points after the shocking incident earlier this month

PAOK president Ivan Savvidis has been banned from football for three years for carrying a gun onto the pitch against AEK Athens earlier this month.

The Greek club have also been fined and docked three Superleague points for the shocking incident.

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Ivan Savvidis invaded the pitch with what looked like a gun in his jeans

The incident occurred after PAOK were denied an injury-time goal against the league-leaders, with their Russian owner going ballistic.

Fernando Varela thought he'd given his team a stunning, last-gasp 1-0 win - only for his effort to be chalked-off.

After that, the chaos ensued, with Savvidis storming the pitch with terrified AEK Athens players darting back to their changing room.

Georgia-born Greek-Russian Savvidis came on the field twice, accompanied by his bodyguards.

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Fearful AEK Athens players dashed back into their changing rooms
A revolver could clearly be seen in the waistband of Ivan SavvidisCredit: Reuters

On the second occasion, with his coat taken off, a pistol appeared visible in his waistband.

AEK officials claimed the Russian threatened the referee the first time he entered the pitch, before he was pulled away.

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SHOOTOUT PAOK president Ivan Savvidis invades Greek match against AEK Athens with A PISTOL as game is abandoned


The game was finally, officially, abandoned nearly two hours after the disallowed goal with the stadium cleared of spectators.

After the shocking incident, Savvidis did apologise for his actions, saying: "I am deeply sorry for what happened.

PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis runs onto pitch with gun and has to be held back from attacking the ref after disallowed goal against AEK Athens
Ivan Savvidis entered the pitch with a team of his personal bodyguardsCredit: AFP or licensors

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