Greek derby postponed as angry PAOK owner storms pitch with gun

Ivan Savvidis disrupted Sunday's Super League match with AEK after not agreeing with the disallowing of a goal

The Greek Super League match between PAOK and AEK Athens was postponed on Sunday after the former's owner, who appeared to be armed with a gun, and his entourage stormed the pitch following the disallowing of a late goal.

PAOK thought they had secured a last-gasp win with an 89th-minute effort, only for the referee to alter his decision following the protestations of AEK players.

The goal was ultimately disallowed, meaning PAOK were unable to usurp their rivals at the top of the table.

That sparked angry scenes in the stands and numerous people entered the pitch, including PAOK owner Ivan Savvidis and his security detail.

Savvidis, who appeared to usher his players off the pitch, confronted referee Giorgios Kominis and was then led away by his security.

He then had to be restrained as he appeared to aim some angry words towards one of the match officials.

The match was postponed after the referee went down the tunnel.

Although the officials re-emerged later, PAOK claimed on Twitter the game "was finally halted with the score 1-0" in favour of the home side, despite the late goal initially seeming to be disallowed.

AEK coach Manolo Jimenez appeared to confirm PAOK had been handed the 1-0 win, while the former Sevilla boss also heard claims Savvidis entered the pitch armed with a gun.

"Right now we are leaving the stadium escorted by the police," Jimenez is quoted as saying by Onda Cero.

"The referee has invalidated the goal of PAOK for offside, there was a brawl of players and many people entered the field, including their president with bodyguards.

"After the invasion, the referee has gone inside and after two hours wanted to resume. We said no. The shame is that in the end the referee has given them the goal, after all that has happened.

"We learned later that the president had a gun, we did not see it there on the pitch."

It is the second time in less than two months that PAOK's Toumba Stadium has been the setting of disturbances.

Earlier in the day, PAOK had a stadium ban and a three-point deduction revoked following an incident against Olympiacos on February 25.

Olympiacos coach Oscar Garcia had been hit on the head by a roll of paper thrown from the stands, with his injury requiring a trip to hospital.