Controversial and erstwhile fugitive Ivan Savvidis on reappeared on Tuesday , at least via an issued statement, and offered an apology for his behavior and Greek fans some 48 after interrupting a closely watched football derby between his team, PAOK Thessaloniki, and AEK Athens.
The northern Greece-based businessman and investor said his actions were due to an “emotional outpouring”, while claiming he did not aim to clash with the coaches and staff of the visiting team. He also said he did not threaten anyone.
PAOK officials stormed the field when the match’s referee disqualified a goal with a controversial off-side call in the 90th minute. After nearly two hours holed away in a locker room, the referee wrote down in a game report that he reversed his call, while asking the two teams to return to the pitch, something that league-leading AEK’s players declined to do.
