Yiannis Alafouzos

The transfer of Panathinaikos soccer club to the Pan Asia fund, led by Thai business man Pairoj Piempongsant, has officially started with club owner Yiannis Alafouzos announcing on Tuesday the signing of the agreement for the first stage of the transaction concerning the first half of his stake.

SOCCER: Panathinaikos is close to changing hands after the meeting that the representative of the Pan Asia Investments fund, Pairoj Piempongsant, had on Saturday with club owner Yiannis Alafouzos.

SOCCER: Thai entrepreneur Pairoj Piempongsant landed in Athens on Friday evening to broker a deal for the takeover of Panathinaikos by the Pan Asia fund with owner Yiannis Alafouzos.

Deputy Minister for Sports Giorgos Vassiliadis confirmed on Thursday morning a press report according to which the owner of the Panathinaikos basketball club, Dimitris Giannakopoulos has tabled a proposal for the acquisition of the soccer club as well as the Olympic Stadium of Athens in cooperation with foreign funds.

The Greek Cup loss to second-division OFI Crete on Wednesday was the final straw for Panathinaikos that forced Italian manager Andrea Stramaccioni to tender his resignation on Thursday, confirmed by a club statement. The Greens are now in talks with former Panionios manager Marinos Ouzounidis, according to reports.

Panathinaikos hooligans entered the stadium following the cancelation of the derby with Olympiacos football team and lost control. Tear gas, light flares, chains could be seen hurling back and forth from the field as chairs and other items were unhinged from the stadium. The SWAT team entered trying to restore order.

The head of the Public Prosecutor?s Office, Isidoros Dogiakos, on Thursday ordered a preliminary investigation into events at the recent Panathinaikos vs Olympiakos soccer derby. The game?s kickoff was delayed after several Panthinaikos fans invaded the pitch.

 Panathinaikos protests against points deduction

By George Georgakopoulos

The board of directors meeting of the Greek Super League on Tuesday ended abruptly when a shouting match between the presidents of Olympiakos and Panathinaikos ended in an altercation.

By Graham Wood

Outgoing Greece coach Fernando Santos has angered sections of the local media and soccer figures by claiming that some of his players were more interested in personal success than following instructions.

Greece lost on penalties against 10-man Costa Rica in their last 16 clash in Recife on Sunday, after the match had ended 1-1 in extra time.