AEK-Dundee at Karaiskaki stadium after vandalism

Wednesday's development follows the unprecedented thrashing of another Athens field on Tuesday afternoon by hooligans bent on preventing the AEK-Dundee match from taking place there.

The 11,500-seat but sub-par Nea Smyrni field, home to mid-level Panionios Athens, would have served as the venue had it not been vandalised.

A group of football fans in Athens damaged the field at their own stadium in order to keep a rival Greek team from playing a Europa League match at the venue.

Greek police say about 30 Panionios fans caused extensive damage to their own ground late Tuesday.

The stadium had been chosen to host AEK Athens' match against Scottish club Dundee United on Thursday because of bad turf conditions at AEK's home stadium.

The vandals knocked down the goal posts, dug holes in the turf, burned a team bench and sprayed abusive slogans against AEK and UEFA.

An AEK spokeswoman says the club has suggested the second-leg match should be played at Olympiakos' stadium, and UEFA is considering the proposal.

AEK won the first leg 1-0.