AEK boss begins 12-year prison term

The owner of the Athens football club AEK today began a 12 year prison sentence for publishing a forged document in his newspaper that attempted to bolster allegations of government corruption.

Newspaper To Onoma, claimed a senior Socialist government official had taken bribes from a German company to build the new airport in Athens.

Makis Psomiadis vowed to appeal the sentence or seek its suspension on grounds of ill health.

The cigar smoking nightclub owner said he will be represented at AEK by his 18-year-old son, Stavros.

“AEK will never yield,” Psomiadis said after the sentence was read out in the Athens court.

AEK face Real Madrid in a Champions League match tomorrow.

Psomiadis’ imprisonment came amid a domestic crisis in Greek soccer caused by the collapse of a subscription TV channel which broadcast live games.

The league has been suspended for a month due to a financial dispute between the government and club owners.