Soccer Fans Chase Own Team Off Pitch, Likely Cause Relegation

On Sunday, storied Greek side AEK Athens gave up a late goal in a crucial late-season match. Angry fans stormed the field, causing damage and injuries. The game was abandoned, and because of that, AEK will be docked points—enough to guarantee that they will be relegated for next season.

AEK have long been one of Greece's most successful teams, winning 29 domestic titles and competing regularly in the Champions and Europa Leagues. But their finances have recently gone to shit—last summer they were forced to let go every player of quality, and now find themselves below the relegation cutoff line. But there was still hope—had they merely lost Sunday's game to Panthrakikos, they would be two points away from safety with one match left.

But after fans stormed the pitch—two players hurt, two police officers injured, 15 fans arrested, and AEK's president going to the hospital with chest pains—referees canceled the match at the behest of AEK players. As per league rules, not only does AEK take the loss, but they are deducted three points in the standings. That makes it mathematically impossible for them to avoid going to the second division.

It could get worse! There's a very good chance AEK will go into liquidation, and sink all the way to Greece's amateur division. Nice job all around.