Greek champions PAOK Thessaloniki were docked seven points by the Greek Super League on Thursday for illegal ownership of another league club, Xanthi.

PAOK chief Ivan Savvidis had been accused by rival club Olympiakos of acquiring a stake in Xanthi, which is also docked seven points.

Under league rules dual ownership was punishable by automatic relegation but the government intervened to soften the sanction to points reduction.

Olympiakos top the league after the regular season ended Sunday with PAOK now 14 points further back in second place going into the post-season playoffs, which determine who wins the championship as well as Champions League and Europa League spots.

Xanthi, in 12th place, join seven other clubs in post-season relegation playoffs.