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AEK players found themselves forced to play ill against Benfica in the Greek team’s last European game for 2009. 12 of the players have been struck by a virus with severe stomach ailments and sickness. Defender Karabelas and midfielder Tahtsidis were the ones worst affected by the virus and in order to protect the rest of the team, they were sent home before the Benfica game. Sanel Jahic had a milder form of the virus but was reported sick on the morning before the derby, and coach Bajevic decided best to rest him against Benfica. Later on however, Jahic did get involved in the game as his teammate Majstorovic opted out due to the common virus. The illness was also involved in the second substitution of the game, with Nsaliwa replacing Makos, who felt sick after the game had started. Gustavo Manduca also played with a mild form of the virus, and was later replaced in the second half.

Situation for Bajevic’s AEK does not seem to improve at the moment, with news coming from Greece that the rested players in Athens have also been infected with the virus. The news did not make Bajevic’s night in Portugal any better, and he had to see his team struggle to play ill with heroic efforts against Benfica.

As a result of the virus, AEK’s football staff is now significantly lowered, and management has already contacted the Superleague director Patrick Komninos to reschedule the game with Asteras Tripoli. The encounter was scheduled for Sunday, but AEK cannot compose a full squad at the moment. Directors at the club are concerned with the welfare of the healthy players because of the contagious nature of the virus, which was apparently spread during the team’s Christmas party.

In the meantime, news was spread that Nikos Tanopoulos – AEK’s President – has handed a letter of resignation. Tanopoulos is ready to give up his powerful position in a move to finally end the absurdities taking place in the club. Both staff and supporters are reported to be upset with the situation, and Tanopoulos has decided to resign. Officially, the president used the need for administrative changes in AEK as a reason for his stepping down. Tanopoulos later ensured people at the club that he is willing to remain in the management team as long as necessary, to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

 In a public statement release on the holding’s website, Tanopoulos addressed Nikos Notias, Poli Hatzigioannou, Petros Pappa, Takis Kanelopoulos, Gkika Gkouma and Demis Nikolaidis, asking them to take the historic responsibility to their team and leave all conflict aside. The former president believes this is the only move that will ensure a bright future for AEK, its shareholders and supporters.