Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, 02 February 2026, 07:58 / Updated on Monday, 02 February 2026 07:58
The match between AEK Athens and Olympiakos it ended 1-1. The guests equalized in the 16th extra minute, from a penalty contested by the Athenians' boss, Marios Iliopoulos.
Varga's goal, scored with a header, to a corner executed by Răzvan Marin (min. 59)did not last until the end. In the 106th minute, “central” Danny Makkelie went to the VAR to check the duel between Mukundi and Andre Luiz and dictated a penalty for Olympiakos. Taremi converted the penalty kick, 1-1, and the champions left Nea Filadelfia with a point.
AEK boss Marios Iliopoulos: “There is no fine. For me, you won tonight”
Even though AEK went top of the table with a point ahead of PAOK and two more than Olympiakos, their boss Marios Iliopoulos caused a stir at the end because of the penalty that decided the final result. He took on the referees, but also the visiting officials.
And he told Răzvan Marin, a full-time player on Sunday evening, and his teammates that he would not impose any fine on them, as he had previously threatened if they did not win three matches in a row: “There is no fine. For me, you won tonight. I congratulate you and thank you very much. Remember we are gladiators and we will fight to the end. I will be with you and in the end we will be victorious”.
Varga scores with a header from Răzvan Marin's cross / Photo: Imago
Olympiakos officials, in turn, make serious accusations against Iliopoulos. The club's vice-president, Konstantinos Karapapas, told Cosmote TV that the AEK boss allegedly attacked referees, coach José Luis Mendilibar and his players.
Konstantinos Karapapas: “Iliopoulos insulted and attacked José Luis Mendilibar”
“It was Far West. Mr Iliopoulos came down the field and walked up to the referee, insulting him, threatening him and shouting in a fit of rage. Despite our efforts to calm him down, he continued to threaten the referee.
Then, in the dressing room, he uttered insults and threats towards the Olympiakos team. I can't say, but now the matter is getting serious because he made personal threats. He even went so far as to insult and attack José Luis Mendilibar when he was going to the press conference.
I don't know what exactly is going on in the head of the AEK boss and I don't care. Poems and songs and fair play are great, but I want to see tonight which prosecutor will handle all this behavior, all this provocation, and all this spectacle. It was vulgar behavior. We will not leave things like this”, threatened the “vice” of Olympiakos.
