Panathinaikos and AEK Hit by Illness Outbreak
Panathinaikos and AEK reported gastrointestinal illness among staff and players after a preseason trip to Rhodes, compounding injury woes ahead of the Giannakopoulos tournament.
Panathinaikos have six staff members affected, with several requiring hospital treatment. The club's concern now is whether the infection spreads to players who took part in the tournament.
AEK's numbers are worse: eight members of the squad have fallen ill, including five players. Combined with four other players already carrying injuries, the club cannot currently field a full training session.
For Panathinaikos coach Željko Obradović, the timing adds to an already stretched squad list. Mustafa Fall, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Nikos Rogavopoulos and Kendrick Nunn are not yet training with the team, and Kostas Sloukas is still building up his fitness. Panathinaikos are due to play in the Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament this weekend.
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