PAOK owner gets three-year football ban over gun incident

PAOK Thessaloniki owner Ivan Savvidid wasa on Thursday banned for three years from football after running onto the field with a holstered gun in his belt during incidents that interrupted their recent game against AEK Athens.

The Greek federation also fined the Russian-Greek businessman 100,000 euros (124,000 dollars).

PAOK were docked three points for violence that marred and interrupted their game against the leaders AEK on March 11. The Greek league was suspended by the government over this and other incidents but matches will be played again on the weekend.

Third-placed PAOK must also play three home games behind closed doors and will lose two additional points at the start of next season.

The club was also fined 63,000 euros and its sports director Michel Lubos, was banned for 90 days and fined 15,000 euros.

Thursday's rulings can be appealed.