Greek giants Olympiacos stand on the brink after reports emerged they that are to be relegated to the lower tiers and hit with hefty fines following historic match-fixing allegations.
According to Corriere dello sport the club are on the precipice of free-falling down the divisions to the second tier after investigations into a February 2015 fixture against Atromitos were re-opened.
The news could spell disaster for owner Evangelos Marinakis who, if held responsible, is reportedly set to be hit with a personal fine exceeding two-and-a-half million and a lifetime ban from football.
Such repercussions would be wide-felt, given Marinakis' involvement in English football. The Greek ship-owner and member of the Piraeus city council is also the owner of Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Prior to the suspension of football across the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, Olympiacos had opened up clear water in the Greek top flight and topped the division by 66 points, after 26 matches played. They are yet to lose a single league game all season.
Yet the 2015 match may well be coming back to bite. Investigations held at the time were closed, despite 15 individuals and the two clubs being accused according to the provisions of Article 27 of the Code of Conduct of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) about 'fixing the result of a match for betting purposes'.
Olympiacos won the match in question 2-1 against Atromitos. That season they went on to win the title, while Atromitos secured qualification to the SuperLeague Greece play-offs. If found guilty both clubs were threatened with relegation and a 3 million euro fine.
Among the accused were Marinakis, Giorgos Spanos (who owns Atromitos), former EPO president Giorgos Sarris and vice-president Aristidis Stathopoulos, three more former EPO officials, six former referees and refereeing officials, the Atromitos technical director Yiannis Angelopoulos and former Atromitos manager Ricardo Sa Pinto.
Greek media SDNA have confirmed the match is being revisited, while other historic fixtures are now being examined.
On the pitch this season Olympiacos had been blazing a trail, not only in their respective league but during European duty.
The Greeks shattered Arsenal hearts in the Europa League, scoring a late goal in a 2-1 victory at the Emirates to progress on away goals.
The same fixture caused untold controversy after Marinakis, present at the match to watch his side in action, was later tested positive for coronavirus.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta himself later contracted coronavirus, but it was not suggested the virus had been transmitted between the duo. Both men have since recovered from the illness.
As the investigations go on, Olympiacos' position in European football remains very much up in the air. They currently sit poised on a 1-1 scoreline against Premier League side Wolves.
A stalemate was recorded in front of an empty stadium in Greece on March 12, as the coronavirus pandemic brought an end to all live spectating across football.
The rapid spread of the deadly disease has since brought global sport to its knees, as both sides were preparing for the second leg fixture at Molineux.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com