OFI Crete F.C.

The soccer federation overturned on Wednesday two decisions that generated plenty of discussions in the last couple of months, canceling the relegation of OFI Crete for match-fixing and ruling as correctly abandoned the Panathinaikos vs Olympiakos derby, along with deducting a further two points from the Greens' tally.

The Greek soccer federation decided on Monday the relegation of OFI Crete to the second division, and of second-tier club Aiginiakos to the third division, for fixing last year's Football League match between them. In response a firm of hardcore OFI fans threatened against the Greek national team playing its home games in Iraklio.

The ambassador of the Netherlands to Greece has expressed his condolences on the death of Dutch-born soccer manager Eugene Gerards.

"I am saddened by the loss of Eugene Gerards. He has meant much for football in Greece and for the ties between our two countries. He will not be forgotten," ambassador Caspar Veldkamp said in a statement.

Dutch-born soccer manager Eugene Gerards passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77 years, leaving behind him a great legacy in the local game after spending decades on the benches of Greek teams, especially that of OFI Crete.

SOCCER: Veteran players (including a host of Euro 2004 winners) and thousands of fans, mostly OFI supporters, gathered on Monday evening at the Theodoros Vardinoyiannis Stadium of Iraklio to honor Eugene Gerards, the 77-year-old former manager who coached OFI from 1985 to 2000.

SOCCER: Veteran players (including a host of Euro 2004 winners) and thousands of fans, mostly OFI supporters, gathered on Monday evening at the Theodoros Vardinoyiannis Stadium of Iraklio to honor Eugene Gerards, the 77-year-old former manager who coached OFI from 1985 to 2000.

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.

By George Georgakopoulos

OFI President Nikos Machlas announced on Saturday the withdrawal of the popular Cretan club from the Super League, as the financial problems appeared too heavy to handle. He chose to say nothing about the recent years' mismanagement of the club he inherited, but accused soccer authorities and other clubs of waging a war against OFI.

By George Georgakopoulos

By George Georgakopoulos

Reports in the Greek press converge to OFI Crete soon becoming the second club in the Super League, after Niki Volou, to drop out of the championship for financial reasons.