“If a final solution is not found with KED, the league should not resume after the break.”

Premier League president Vangelis Marinakis has sent a letter to UEFA president Takis Baltakos, attacking him following recent developments at KED and the departure of Steve Bennett as head of referees.

Among other things, he said that there must be a final solution with arbitration, otherwise the league should not resume after the national teams stopped.

““If you think Mandalos will continue to appoint rulers, then you too are plunged into darkness and laughing.” He even mentions how KED cannot continue to operate in its current form.

Premier League President’s Speech

“Mr president,

The developments of all these recent days at the Central Refereeing Committee constitute nothing more than a formal confirmation of everything we have been supporting for months about Mr Bennett’s role, his position at KED and the plan to change the league through a specific department that would put Mr Bennett in the position of Chief Referee and “liberate” the staff. KED, while at the same time ensuring that you remain as EPO Chairman.

First, there was the method that had been systematic for months to distort the presence of foreign referees in the Premier League championship, then came the method of “lack” of foreign referees under various pretexts, and finally the coup attempt to violate every existing agreement between the two clubs. Al-Ittihad and P.AE are trying to put a Greek referee in the Panathinaikos-AEK derby, as you did last year.

This fact caused consternation among you (who “does not intervene” in refereeing issues. Really, how did you know that a Greek referee had been appointed to the derby before the appointments were announced?) and led to the “resignation” of Mr. Hazard. Bennett due to the resulting reactions. Let us not ridicule each other: if you think that you are “out”, Mr Bennett, and that professional football has forgotten the role you personally played in the installation of this very referee, then you are in a state of profound ignorance.

Just as you think Mandalus will continue to appoint rulers, you too are plunged into darkness and it laughs at you.

Anyone who follows Greek football knows that Mr Bennett resigned only on his salary, otherwise his role on the central refereeing committee was merely decorative. This is proven not only by his actions since the day he took over, and not only by his actions and omissions, but also by the sixth round definitions that took place after his “retirement” of Mr. Mandalo, who was essentially the main player. Chairman of the referees for several months, who came to the fore.

This was also proven by the appointment of Mr. Mohamed Al-Hakim as referee for the Olympiacos – Aris match, whose presence in the Aris – PAOK match last year was unforgettable for everyone who watched it. The definition given just hours after Mr Bennett “retired” as chief referee is not only a challenge, but also an insult to the intelligence of the Greek fans.

This is also demonstrated by the entire methodology I have personally followed in the matter of replacing Mr. Bennett. Initially you (alone) held a meeting of the Professional Football Committee on Wednesday 26 September on the subject of “Chairman of the Board of Directors of KED/EPO” and suddenly tonight you announced the postponement of the meeting under the pretext that after the resignation of Mr. Bennett the reason for holding the meeting had disappeared (!!!).

How does a resignation affect an EEP meeting? Quite the opposite: it makes it necessary to seek a change of course on the KED issue, but such a matter does not seem to serve your personal endeavours. On the one hand, you confirm to UEFA in private discussions that you expect the EEP to proceed with the procedures prescribed for the order of the Chief Referees and to mock them and on the other hand you postpone the committee meeting.

You have repeatedly pointed out that you are no less dangerous than Mr. Bennett and should be followed.

It is clear that even pretexts are no longer respected and that the work of KED in its current form cannot continue.

My opinion and I will pass it on to the EEP which should be met immediately is that the decision should be taken to submit an application as an EEP by UEFA (and without any mediation from the federation) proposing three new eminent foreign officials who would be candidates for one of them to take over the entire management of the KED, without sponsors. Without companions and without presenters.

The process finally defined should be carried out seriously, with the submission of files/CVs and the selection of the most qualified candidates based on the experience and manuscripts they possess in judging. Besides the chief regent there must be two other members of KED from outside, so that there are no worn out or rotten materials in the new building.

All you have to do is inform UEFA of your Greek football desires and be nominated by these people who have nothing to do with Greek reality!

The process took place in the past, when the “Big Four” agreed on a key ruling after submitting files and a CV that was appropriate in exchange for Bennett’s illegal and irregular appointment.

The presence of new people will be able to ensure that the level of referees who come to officiate the Greek Championship and Cup matches will be raised. KED members Bennett, Mandalo and the decorated “obedient” members cannot continue to exist as they have been completely “undressed”.

The imminent cessation of the tournament due to the home rule elections provides a luxury of time that we would not have had at any other time. Temporary solutions or workarounds – which you seem to prefer – cannot be acceptable and cannot be effective.

I believe that any such proposal would constitute a clear intention to undermine the tournament.

Personally, I believe that if a final solution cannot be found through the fundamental reorganization of KED, the tournament should not be resumed after the break. This opportunity for purification cannot and should not be lost.

And speaking of purging, I imagine the EPC, UEFA, Football Prosecutor Mr Spyropoulos and Deputy Sports Minister Mr Vroutsis have already begun investigation proceedings into Bennett’s complaints about interference in referee appointments. At the same time, clarifications will be requested from all of us, as I mentioned above, about the involvement of Mandalos, which is not the result of our agreements, or of the comprehensive study or of what the supranational federations requested, i.e. that only foreigners be involved in the definitions of professional football!

Super League President 1

Evangelos Marinakis.