Ivan Savvidis
World Soccer|November 2018

Controversial PAOK owner accused of acting as a Russian agent

James Montague
Ivan Savvidis

Prior to March 11 this year, very few people outside of Greece had heard of Ivan Savvidis. At 59, the Russian-Greek oligarch, who got rich in tobacco and is considered a close political ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, looks more like a kindly uncle than anything else.

But in the closing moments of a Greek Superleague game between PAOK – who he bought in 2012 – and AEK, he briefly became the most famous football club owner in the world.

With both sides vying for top spot, a last-minute goal for PAOK looked to have put them in pole position for a first title since 1985. But then the goal was ruled offside and chaos ensued. Savvidis went on to the pitch to remonstrate with the referee...with a gun holstered on his hip.

The match was abandoned, the pictures and video went viral, and the league was suspended amid much soul searching about the state of the game in Greece, which has been mired by fan violence, intimidation and match fixing for years. FIFA even set up a monitoring committee with the threat of Greece being expelled altogether – a fate dubbed “Grexit” in the local media.

Savvidis was banned from football for three years, AEK were awarded the three points and PAOK were deducted a further three points – all of which proved crucial as AEK won the league for the first time in 24 years.

But the gun incident did more than cost PAOK the title; it also focused attention on the super-rich and the politically connected in Greek football.

Denne historien er fra November 2018-utgaven av World Soccer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2018-utgaven av World Soccer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WORLD SOCCERSe alt
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024