Greek govt gets tough on football hooliganism

Posted Tuesday, May 03, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

ATHENS (AFP) - The Greek government warned on Monday that it will stop funding professional football leagues next season if the national federation fails to change their disciplinary laws in an effort to halt violence plaguing the sport.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism responsible for sports Giorgos Nikitiadis told a press conference that the state was committed to tackling violence at sporting events.

"We asked the federation to change the disciplinary law at their next general assembly meeting and if this is not done, the state will suspend all funding to the Greek soccer leagues," Nikitiadis said.

"There must be provisions for throwing flares and firecrackers, and for any fan who goes onto the pitch. Why should we fund a sport that is a disgrace."

Nikitiadis said there should be penalties as harsh as excluding teams from the league and that in June the government will introduce sports legislation in that direction.

He said some 2,500 hooligans around the country are at the root of the problem.

The deputy minister met with federation president Sophocles Pilavios on Monday to discuss measures to be taken after 13 people were arrested following clashes between police and rampaging fans during the AEK-Atromitos Greek Cup final match on Saturday.

Authorities said that 22 police officers were injured during the clashes, and five were hospitalized, after the match which had to be ended early after hooligans poured into the pitch at the Athens Olympic Stadium with AEK leading 3-0.

"The issue is not to find who has the responsibility for the violence. What is important is to take appropriate action," Nikitiadis said.

Meanwhile, the financial crimes department of the first instance prosecutor has announced that they will begin calling witnesses to testify in the case of 41 suspected rigged soccer matches from 2008, which also includes two matches from this season.

The prosecutor said it will also request legal assistance from British authorities for the betting firm Betfair in order to disclose details of Greek citizens who waged bets on certain controversial matches.