Greece’s Olympiakos Volos banned from Europa League

UEFA, Europe’s soccer governing body, has excluded Greek club Olympiakos Volos from this season’s Europa League competition after the club was involved in the Greek match-fixing scandal.

The news comes just a day after Volos was handed a Super League reprieve after the Hellenic Football Federation’s (EPO) appeals committee overturned its relegation. Volos and fellow Super League side Kavala were both relegated to the second tier of Greek football for their part in the scandal however both teams had decision was overturned on Wednesday in favour of a points deduction after an appeal.

Volos had qualified for European competition after finishing fifth in the 2010-11 Super League. However, a points deduction falls foul of UEFA rules implying exclusion from European competition. Volos have also received a suspended three-year ban.

A UEFA statement said: “The Greek club have until midnight on Monday to submit an appeal under Article 49 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.”

Volos’ lawyer, Michael Mitzikos, told Reuters: “We will appeal first to UEFA’s appeal’s body and will also consider measures with the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport).”

Luxembourg’s FC Differdange 03 has been announced as Volos’ replacement in the Europa League and will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the play-off round.