Organizers of Greece's topflight footbal league have relegated clubs Kavala and Olympiakos Volou and banned their respective owners, Makis Psomiadis and Achilleas Beos, for life in the wake of a match-fixing scandal.
In the decision announced early Thursday, the clubs were relegated to the second division and each fined 300,000 euros.
Both clubs argued that the decision is invalid, and would fight to remain in the 16-team Super League. They argued that the club officials accused of match-fixing have not yet gone to trial.
Beos is in police custody after being accused last month of being at the center of a ring that fixed matches so members could make money from betting on the games. Psomiadis remains at large, although his son, Stavros, who is officially Kavala's president was arrested and released on bail.
The Super League's decision, which Volos and Kavala can appeal, means that Larissa and Panserraikos will not be relegated and will remain in the top flight.
Earlier this week, Michel Platini, the head of UEFA, European football's governing body, said he would send experts to Greece to help clean up the game.
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