With a written statement, Alafouzos resigned and left Panathinaikos!
"A few years ago I realized that our team, PAO, was at the brink of disaster. I took the decision to undertake a rescue initiative through the "Panathinaiki Alliance".
Thousands of fans contributed to the owl and their support. I asked historians and financially supportive supporters to contribute those important sums that the group needed to avoid bankruptcy. They did not. From that day onwards I have contributed 42 million of my personal property. It was not an easy matter. I have borne this burden at a certain moment for the country and myself.
I had the romantic illusion that by setting up a healthy group without interdependence I could help to change the Greek reality. I was wrong. The systems and attitudes that prevent our country from having a normal, European football are deeply rooted and resemble Lernaia Hydra. Any good-looking man goes to fight with them, he realizes very quickly that he is hitting his hand on an impenetrable wall.
Today our Association is once again at a marginal point. For me personally, it is impossible, from a mental and economic point of view, to continue to maintain and manage the group. I am willing to assume my obligations up to how much of the order of 20 million. This is the maximum I can get. I gave what I could, I undertake future commitments that will test my stamina. But here.
I call on the historical protagonists of the Panathenaic family to take the initiative to rescue the club. I will stand next to them as a simple soldier, honoring in full the commitments I will undertake as part of a new effort. I think it's time for them to do their job.
In this direction, I asked Vasilis Konstantinou to lead in an effort to salvage the group by inviting all Panathinaikos who can contribute in an engagement.
To fans and friends of PAO I owe a great thank you because they were next to us in the project and they realized that all I wanted was to be saved first and then the team was doing well. I apologize to them because I disappointed them and why I can not take responsibility again. I did what I could. The moment of truth has arrived. Those who love the team and those who are able to help it have the time to do it.
Ioannis Alafouzos ".
"A few years ago I realized that our team, PAO, was at the brink of disaster. I took the decision to undertake a rescue initiative through the "Panathinaiki Alliance".
Thousands of fans contributed to the owl and their support. I asked historians and financially supportive supporters to contribute those important sums that the group needed to avoid bankruptcy. They did not. From that day onwards I have contributed 42 million of my personal property. It was not an easy matter. I have borne this burden at a certain moment for the country and myself.
I had the romantic illusion that by setting up a healthy group without interdependence I could help to change the Greek reality. I was wrong. The systems and attitudes that prevent our country from having a normal, European football are deeply rooted and resemble Lernaia Hydra. Any good-looking man goes to fight with them, he realizes very quickly that he is hitting his hand on an impenetrable wall.
Today our Association is once again at a marginal point. For me personally, it is impossible, from a mental and economic point of view, to continue to maintain and manage the group. I am willing to assume my obligations up to how much of the order of 20 million. This is the maximum I can get. I gave what I could, I undertake future commitments that will test my stamina. But here.
I call on the historical protagonists of the Panathenaic family to take the initiative to rescue the club. I will stand next to them as a simple soldier, honoring in full the commitments I will undertake as part of a new effort. I think it's time for them to do their job.
In this direction, I asked Vasilis Konstantinou to lead in an effort to salvage the group by inviting all Panathinaikos who can contribute in an engagement.
To fans and friends of PAO I owe a great thank you because they were next to us in the project and they realized that all I wanted was to be saved first and then the team was doing well. I apologize to them because I disappointed them and why I can not take responsibility again. I did what I could. The moment of truth has arrived. Those who love the team and those who are able to help it have the time to do it.
Ioannis Alafouzos ".
