Petition Concerning the Situation of AEK Athens Handball Players During the 2025/2026 Season

A Call for Accountability, Transparency and Protection of Players

We, the undersigned players of AEK Athens Handball, wish to publicly express our deep concern and dissatisfaction regarding the treatment we have experienced during the 2025/2026 season.

For several months, a significant number of players have not received the salaries and contractual payments to which they are entitled. Despite our repeated requests for clarification, the situation remains unresolved and, in many cases, we no longer receive any response from the club’s management.

Beyond the financial aspect, this situation has had serious consequences on the daily lives of players and their families. Many have been placed in increasingly precarious circumstances while continuing to fulfil their professional obligations and represent the club with commitment and professionalism.

What raises even greater concern is the feeling shared by many players that the management was aware of the club’s financial difficulties long before the current situation became public, yet continued to encourage players to remain committed to the project without providing complete and transparent information regarding the club’s actual capacity to honour its contractual obligations.

Today, despite the seriousness of the situation, no clear timeline, guarantee, or concrete solution has been presented to the players. The lack of communication and accountability only deepens the uncertainty and frustration experienced by those directly affected.

We believe that professional athletes must be protected from such situations. Contracts are not optional commitments; they are legal and moral obligations that must be respected by all parties.

We therefore call upon the relevant national, European and international handball authorities to take immediate action and thoroughly investigate this situation. We respectfully ask the competent bodies to consider appropriate sporting and administrative measures until all contractual obligations towards players and staff have been fully honoured.

Among the measures that should be considered are:

A temporary suspension of the club’s eligibility to participate in European competitions.
Restrictions on the registration and recruitment of new players until outstanding contractual obligations have been settled.
Increased oversight and monitoring of the club’s financial compliance.
The implementation of stronger protections for players facing similar situations across professional handball.

This situation is not only about the current season. It raises broader questions about governance, accountability and the protection of athletes within professional handball. If such practices can continue without consequence, what message does that send to players, supporters and the integrity of our sport?

We are not seeking conflict. We are seeking fairness, transparency and respect for the commitments that were made to us.

We ask all players, former players, staff members, supporters and individuals who believe in the integrity of professional sport to support this petition and stand with those whose rights and livelihoods have been affected.

The undersigned players of AEK Athens Handball