Greek giants Panathinaikos docked 3 points over unpaid Essien arrears

The EPA Arbitration Court have deducted three points from Panathinaikos after failing to settle unpaid wages to Ghana midfielder Michael Essien from February - March.

The Court say the Athens-based side have five working days to either pay the full amount or reach a compromise with the player.

In detail, the announcement:

"The Arbitral Tribunal took the following decision concerning the case of the applicant MICHAEL ESSIEN, a professional footballer and the defendant, the application of Socrates Societe Anonyme under the name PANATHINAIKOS AO. Accepts the applicant's application form MICHAEL ESSIEN from 2-3 -2018 (under Protocol No. 8077 / 2-13-2018).

It shall act to the detriment of the Defendant until the full and complete redemption of the applicant, in the light of the present causes and amounts, of the three (3) grade penalty imposed by the above-mentioned 100/2017 decision within three (3) working days from the day following the notification of this "

Panathinaikos is facing the threat of relegation over mounting financial troubles amid reports that players have been skipping practice in protest at payment delays.