Greek Cup final between AEK and PAOK could be held in Poland

Meanwhile, Greece's football federation (EPO) are in talks with Sosnowiec authorities to hold the match in the new stadium in the Zagłębie Dąbrowskie region of southern Poland.

The Greek Cup final is scheduled for May 24th, where AEK Athens and PAOK Thessaloniki will face each other. Two big clubs, with crowds of supporters across Greece, who regularly face each other in the final (all three finals from 2017 to 2019 were played between them).

The two clubs demanded a neutral pitch for this clash; AEK did not want to agree to play in Thessaloniki and PAOK in Athens, where they had already played more than one final.

So, since the two finalists were confirmed on April 13th, the Hellenic Football Federation (Ellinikí Podosferikí Omospondía; EPO) has had an unresolved headache.

What can be guaranteed?

Proposals for stadiums in Volos and Larissa have been put forward, but neither have passed a safety inspection. Because, apart from the neutrality of the ground, an issue is to secure a venue where an increased risk of vandalism is expected.

Even before the finalists were decided, attempts were made to verify if it was possible to hold the Greek Cup final in Cyprus.

Even without the participation of spectators, this was deemed an unacceptable proposal. A Cypriot police spokesperson confirmed to Kerkida.net that no such thing is on the table.

"Officially, we have not received any request for information, but we have received information from the media," they said.

"But I must say that we maintain our position, which even takes into account the circumstance of a match without spectators... the case is closed."

It has been revealed that stadiums in England, Germany and as far as Australia, among others, have been analysed, but none of these options have proved viable.

The impasse is seen as a conspiracy between the authorities and club owners.

"AEK and PAOK fans, as well as the general public, should know that (organisers are) facing a controlled attempt to block the Greek Cup final under the pretext of preventing violence," a statement by activists read.

"We will make all our efforts to organise this final on neutral ground and even if the obstructionists continue, the final will take place."

Sosnowiec talks confirmed

There was a crisis meeting in Athens yesterday, where consultation was allowed directly with the clubs on the potential venue of the final.

In Greece it was expected to be on May 8th that the venue of the match would be revealed, as the match date is only two weeks away.

This afternoon, however, it has been announced that the decision will not be made until May 12th - just 12 days before the final.

The impact of this decision could be to move the match to Poland. The mayor of Sosnowiec, Arkadiusz Chęcinski, confirmed this evening, the match between AEK Athens and PAOK Thessaloniki could take place in the stadium, which opened just over a month ago.

The stadium, within the ArcelorMittal Park complex, has a capacity of 12,000 spectators, but would be empty for the duel between the Greek titans - with exceptions for journalists and guests representing both clubs in the main stand.

Chęcinski admitted that talks have been ongoing for several days. In turn, Meczyki.pl report that the Polish Football Association have given permission for the organisation of the event.