Olympiacos boss Pedro Martins: We’ve done all we can
Boss Pedro Martins claimed there should be ‘no doubt’ Olympiacos have done everything to ensure tonight’s Europa League tie with Wolves takes place in a safe environment.
The last-16 match will take place behind closed doors following a ruling by the Greek government to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
It is going ahead after UEFA rejected an appeal from Wolves for it to be postponed, after Oympiacos owner Evangelos Maranakis revealed he had contracted the virus.
That revelation on Tuesday led to the entire Olympiacos squad and staff being tested, every one of which came back negative.
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And though Martins remains respectful of Wolves’ concerns, he believes both clubs must trust the experts when they say the game is safe to be played.
“Everyone can react the way he feels, we have respect for the standpoint of Wolves,” he said.
“But we know the responsibility lies with the authorities and those who tell us what to do.
“We have full trust in them and if they tell us it’s safe to play behind closed doors, we will do so. We understand Wolves, the same way we have trust in the authorities.
“There have been thousands of cases in Europe but this club has taken all measures necessary and we have all been tested and the results have been negative.
“There should be no doubt in the minds of anyone who is going to come.
“After we were informed (of Marinakis’ diagnosis) the club did everything which was supposed to happen and we followed all the processes.”
Martins, a one-time team-mate of Nuno at Guimaraes, admitted disappointment the match will be played behind closed doors and believes his team have lost an “asset” in the backing of their fans.
But he added: “In the end it is all about what the players do. They are the stars and they are the ones who will determine the final result.”
