UEFA rejects Wolves' call for Olympiakos Europa League game postponement











Wolves say UEFA has rejected a request for their Europa League match away at Olympiakos to be postponed, with the game set to be played behind closed doors due to coronavirus concerns.

The Greek government has enforced a temporary suspension of spectators attending sporting events due to the Covid-19 outbreak and, on Monday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Greece rose to 73.

The Olympiakos owner, Evangelos Marinakis, also announced on Tuesday that he had contracted coronavirus.


A statement released Wolves said: "Our position is that the trip poses unnecessary risks to our players, staff, supporters and the families of all who travel, at such critical and uncertain times.

"Our concern is also for our opponents, whose players and staff have today been tested, and will now be expected to play their part in an important fixture, under the difficult and challenging circumstances of their owner suffering with the virus.

"There is also disappointment that the match will be played without home and away supporters, as that is part of what makes European competition so special, as well as the fact our fans have already contended with similar obstacles on our Europa League journey already this season.





"We believe that there are some things that are more important than football, and that the good health of our pack and the general public is one of them.

"However, we respect the decision of UEFA and the integrity of the competition, and we will travel tomorrow to Greece to play the fixture.

"We hope that our request to UEFA, and our acceptance of their decision, can act as the catalyst for them to consider alternative options moving forwards, as this will not be the last fixture to be affected by coronavirus."

The statement comes after Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports News earlier on Tuesday that he did not want the game to go ahead, demanding the club staff and players health be put first.





"I understand the decision to play behind closed doors but what is the point of football? It doesn't make sense to play behind closed doors," he said.

"This is more than football. This is a social situation. Everybody is worried. Something has to be done. Closed doors in stadiums is not a solution. It's not normal.

"We are not happy to go. Olympiakos are suffering their own problems. It's time to think - is there another option? Can we stop? This will eventually happen in the Premier League. Let's think about it.

"We are living with fear. If we have to go then as a club, then we have to come back.

"Me as a parent - should I go there if I didn't have the obligation of my job? It's bigger than football. It's social, it's society."

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