PAOK eliminated from Conference League after controversial penalty

PAOK's hopes of advancing in the Conference League were dashed following a 3-2 defeat against Norwegian side Brann. The aggregate score, combined with a 1-1 draw from the first leg, saw the Greek club eliminated from the competition.

The match's turning point, and a major point of contention, was a penalty awarded to Brann. PAOK coach Laszlo Borbely vehemently disagreed with the decision, stating it was not a penalty by any standard.

"I have no words to describe the penalty, it is not a penalty in any country," Borbely declared after the match. He specifically pointed to the challenge involving Giannoulis, asserting that no foul occurred and the decision to award a penalty was incorrect.

The controversial call not only led to a crucial goal for Brann but also fueled frustration among the PAOK players and staff, ultimately contributing to their exit from the tournament. The team's performance and the officiating decision have become the focus of post-match discussions.