Football picks A controversial penalty in the 96th minute left PAOK unbeaten in Greece

A controversial penalty in the 96th minute and another 5 minutes of strife and scandal before its execution left PAOK (Thessaloniki) unbeaten in the Greek Championship after 9 rounds. The champions, however, had to settle for 2-2 at home with Panathinaikos, and it is little consolation that they have been unbeaten for 20 months.

They are 2 points behind leader Olympiacos, who finished 0-0 in visiting Xanthi and is 23. PAOK is 21, AEK Athens climbed to 3rd with 17 after a difficult 3:2 victoryover their fellow citizens of Atromitos.

PAOK made it to the point with 2:2 and should be pleased, though they missed the chance to level with Olympiacos at the top. But the decision came from the VAR booth and provoked fierce protest not only on Panathinaikos players but also on other media clubs. Panathinaikos led shortly before the end of the first half with the Pakistani hit with Norwegian passport Goyas Zahid, but Adelino Vierinia reserve equalized in the 20th minute of the second half. Three minutes before the end of the regular 90, Emmanuel Insuye comfortably fed Federico Macedo and the Italian striker did not go wrong - 1:2 for Panathinaikos.

Minutes after the added time of the match, Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic saw no foul and allowed the game to continue with minimal pressure by Dimitris Kurbelis against Jose Angel Crespo. But the Greek chief of the VAR team, Thanasis Cilos, demanded that the game from archive of football picks be stopped and called Vincic to see the screen from the side. Vincic then pointed to a penalty shootout for the fans of Tumba Stadium and the guests` perplexity. Viryinha did not go wrong from the 11 meters and so was guaranteed the 2:2.

On Saturday, Olympiacos had plenty of opportunities during his visit to Xanthi, but the ball never visited the nets. The hosts from Xanthi remain in 5th place with 16 points.

At the Athens Olympic Stadium, Atromitos led with a goal from Giorgos Manusos, who scored after an extra penalty shot. But AEK turned the tide on a meeting with Atromitos goalkeeper Christos Mandas and a goal from Nelson Oliveira. In the 88th minute Thanasis Andruzos evened it 2:2, but in the third minute of added time Oliveira brought success to AEK.

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