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AEK Players In Head-Butting Incident Ahead Of Olympiakos Clash
It's another unwanted headline for Greek giants AEK Athens, with a head-butting incident between teammates marring a pre-derby training session...
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Jan 30, 2009 4:52:52 AM
A difficult season for AEK Athens has taken another unwelcome twist, with striker Rafik Djebbour having head-butted teammate Nacho Scocco in an incident after training.
Scocco was reportedly rushed to hospital but has been cleared to play in the derby clash with first-placed Olympiakos at the weekend.
During an intense training session, Greece international Vasilis Pliatsikas and Argentine midfielder Agustin Pelletieri also needed the intervention of technical director Stelios Manolas and manager Dusan Bajevic following an on-pitch tussle.
However, it was Djebbour’s attack on Scocco after training that has made headlines in Greece.
Scocco reportedly had some rather strong words to say to his Algerian teammate, who then proceeded to head-butt the Argentine.
The incident was broken-up by surrounding players, one of whom was Portuguese striker Edinho, who amazingly was reported to have then launched a verbal attack on his own manager.
Bajevic himself sought to defuse the situation by releasing a statement on the club’s website afterwards.
“Following the end of training, there was an incident in the change-rooms between Raffik Djebbour and Nacho Scocco,” Bajevic said.
“The two players immediately gave me an explanation and I condemned the incident.
“They asked for forgiveness from me, the team and from each other for the disorder that they created.”
He added: “What matters right now is that the team is calm and that we are focused on our obligation to play.
“The rest will be discussed after the game on Sunday and all of our thoughts are only on the match.”
Despite Bajevic’s efforts to downplay the incident, it is but another bizarre moment during what has been a rather disastrous season for the Greek giants.
Having seen two presidents resign from their posts, the most recent after a failed bid to raise share capital in a part-sale of the club, AEK must now find away to address their continuing debts and running costs.
Following the departure of newly-arrived manager Giorgios Donis earlier in the season, the appointment of Bajevic – his third stint at the club – eventually brought with it stability on the pitch.
However, reports of player unrest - specifically that of Greece international Angelos Basinas, reports that were denied by the club – similarly brought unwanted attention.
The change-room altercation between Djebbour and Scocco could not have been worse timed, with AEK unbeaten under Bajevic and now approaching one of their most important games of the season against rivals and league leaders Olympiakos.
Having climbed to within three points of second place and chasing UEFA Champions League football for next season, for which a positive result could be vital on Sunday.
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
Scocco was reportedly rushed to hospital but has been cleared to play in the derby clash with first-placed Olympiakos at the weekend.
During an intense training session, Greece international Vasilis Pliatsikas and Argentine midfielder Agustin Pelletieri also needed the intervention of technical director Stelios Manolas and manager Dusan Bajevic following an on-pitch tussle.
However, it was Djebbour’s attack on Scocco after training that has made headlines in Greece.
Scocco reportedly had some rather strong words to say to his Algerian teammate, who then proceeded to head-butt the Argentine.
The incident was broken-up by surrounding players, one of whom was Portuguese striker Edinho, who amazingly was reported to have then launched a verbal attack on his own manager.
Bajevic himself sought to defuse the situation by releasing a statement on the club’s website afterwards.
“Following the end of training, there was an incident in the change-rooms between Raffik Djebbour and Nacho Scocco,” Bajevic said.
“The two players immediately gave me an explanation and I condemned the incident.
“They asked for forgiveness from me, the team and from each other for the disorder that they created.”
He added: “What matters right now is that the team is calm and that we are focused on our obligation to play.
“The rest will be discussed after the game on Sunday and all of our thoughts are only on the match.”
Despite Bajevic’s efforts to downplay the incident, it is but another bizarre moment during what has been a rather disastrous season for the Greek giants.
Having seen two presidents resign from their posts, the most recent after a failed bid to raise share capital in a part-sale of the club, AEK must now find away to address their continuing debts and running costs.
Following the departure of newly-arrived manager Giorgios Donis earlier in the season, the appointment of Bajevic – his third stint at the club – eventually brought with it stability on the pitch.
However, reports of player unrest - specifically that of Greece international Angelos Basinas, reports that were denied by the club – similarly brought unwanted attention.
The change-room altercation between Djebbour and Scocco could not have been worse timed, with AEK unbeaten under Bajevic and now approaching one of their most important games of the season against rivals and league leaders Olympiakos.
Having climbed to within three points of second place and chasing UEFA Champions League football for next season, for which a positive result could be vital on Sunday.
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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