PAOK – Olympiacos: Why did the Premier League postpone only the match between them and not the entire fifth round of the qualifiers?

Today's Premier League decision, the possibility of additional postponements depending on the qualifications of PAOK and Olympiacos, consultation with the six teams in the qualifiers and match carryover margins.

The Premier League announced today the postponement of the PAOK – Olympiacos match, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 14, between the first round (Bruges – PAOK, Fenerbahce – Olympiacos) and the second in the quarter-finals of the Conference League.

But why didn't he announce this? The entire fifth round of the qualifiers, which also includes the AEK-Aris and Panathinaikos-Lamia matches, has been postponed; The answer has two sides. First: KAP expects to postpone matches only for teams participating in the quarter-finals, semi-finals or final of a European competition, if they definitely submit a relevant request, as PAOK and Olympiacos did.

The second and most important thing: The Premier League wants to advance step by step. There is clearly an issue of “fairness” regarding postponing the entire fifth round, However, it is expected that the issue will be discussed in detail between the league and the six teams participating in the qualifiers three days after Halloween. Therefore, it is expected that next week these consultations will take place between the league with the six teams and discuss all the scenarios arising from the possible qualification of PAOK and Olympiacos to the conference league final!

“League executives were ready for any (interesting) possibility and there is room to 'carry forward' the matches, given that according to the original planning, the qualifiers will be completed on May 12, while most European leagues on May 19 or 26, which will also be completed by the deadline.” The latter” because of the euro. We usually mention that the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, and the French League end on May 19, while the Spanish League and the Italian League end on May 26.

But it is doubtful that if two additional matches are postponed depending on the qualifiers of PAOK and Olympiacos, the Greek Cup final between Panathinaikos and Ari will be held on May 18, a match that in theory will also take place. “Closing » Football season. In this regard, we will have to wait for the course of the two teams.