Andre Schembri scores his first goal for Olympiakos Volou

On his first appearance in the starting line-up for Olympiakos Volou, Malta international striker Andre Schembri managed to score his first goal as they defeated FC Differdange of Luxembourg 3-0 away from home in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday.

The former Ferencvaros striker put them ahead on 66 minutes before Noé Acosta and Elias Solakis added another two goals.

However this win was marred by the news, earlier in the day, that the club has been relegated from the Super League to the Beta Ethniki over match-fixing.

Organizers of Greece’s Super League have relegated two 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 on Thursday, the clubs were relegated to the second division and each fined € 300,000.

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.

Volou president 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.