Fans riot as PAOK faces financial crunch

Thessaloniki:

Police fired tear gas at soccer fans rioting early Tuesday over the possible exclusion of PAOK Thessaloniki from the Greek league and UEFA Cup next season due to financial problems. One policeman was slightly injured in the city centre clashes. No arrests were made. Protesting youths hurled rocks at riot police and set fire to trash bins before being dispersed. The violence broke out after a leading industrialist, Theodoros Angelopoulos, denied reports he was poised to take over the club which is a reported $25 million in debt. Angelopoulos is the husband of the chief Athens Olympics organiser in 2004, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. PAOK has until Wednesday to pay $3.8 million in outstanding debts or face expulsion from the Greek league and 16-team first division. PAOK, the largest club outside greater Athens, finished the season in sixth place. (AP)