Uefa are carrying out a pitch assessment after the latest blow to Dundee United's clash with AEK Athens.
Fresh uncertainty over clash with AEK after damage to pitch
Uefa are carrying out a pitch assessment after the latest blow to Dundee United's Europa League second leg clash with AEK Athens.
Thursday's clash had already been moved to the Nea Smyrni Stadium, the home of Panionios, after the recently-laid pitch at AEK's home ground, the Olympic Stadium, was deemed unplayable on Monday.
But damage was caused to the new venue's pitch and goalposts on Tuesday night in an apparent attempt to sabotage the contest, in which the SPL outfit must score after being beaten 1-0 at Tannadice last week.
Uefa officials are now due to inspect the stadium before Peter Houston's side arrive in the Greek capital.
Playing the game at the ground of Olympiakos could be a possibility but AEK remain confident the tie will go ahead as scheduled.
Nothing changed
An AEK spokesman said: "There was damage but nothing has changed so far.
"It's not as bad as it looks, although I accept it looks bad in the photographs.
"Should something change there will be an announcement right away on our website in Greek and English."
AEK also played down fears that the 11,700-capacity stadium would not be able to accommodate the number of ticket-holders.
"We have already issued an announcement that the fans who have purchased tickets or season tickets will be allowed in," the spokesman added.
Big enough
"The stadium is big enough for the tickets sold, ticket sales are not an issue.
"In Greece a lot of people buy season tickets to support the club but do not go to every game."
The vandalism was the latest episode in a week of uncertainty over the fixture.
The Olympic Stadium pitch was deemed unplayable on Monday after the new surface failed to bed amid problems with watering.
United were initially told the match could be moved almost 200 miles away to Volos but AEK then confirmed that it would be played in the home of their rivals Panionios, which is just more than two miles south of Athens city centre.
Uefa said on Wednesday morning that their officials were assessing the stadium but would not be in a position to comment until later in the day.
