Greek legislators ratify sports bill to tackle violence during games

Greek legislators on Wednesday ratified a sports bill to tackle violence during games amidst stern warnings by international football federations UEFA and FIFA of a "Greek football Grexit" risk.

The bill was easily approved with the backing of the Radical Left Syriza party and the right-wing Independent Greeks party which control 162 seats in the 300-member strong plenary.

The bill was the government's response to a string of violent incidents inside and outside Greek stadiums this year that have led to the death of a fan, injured players, referees and spectators, and the suspension of matches three times since autumn.

However, an article of the bill concerning the future governance model of Greece's football federation (EPO) triggered furor in Athens and abroad.

UEFA and FIFA officials repeatedly warned the government over the past three weeks, as the bill was being drafted, that in the event the Greek state limited EPO's autonomy, Greek football clubs could face the prospect of expulsion from international competitions.

The government has argued that EPO has obviously failed to safeguard Greek football from violence which has marred matches for years.

International football federations have been adamant that should EPO's governance model change radically, there could be severe consequences for Greek teams.

Following marathon talks with UEFA and FIFA officials, Greek Deputy Minister for Culture, Education and Religious Affairs Stavros Kontonis, who is also responsible for sports, assured on Tuesday that the issues had been resolved and there would be no Greek exit from international football competitions.

On Wednesday, just a few hours before the vote in parliament, EPO and the Greek minister received a letter from Gianni Infantino, the general secretary of UEFA.

Pointing to "surprise last minute" alternations in the wording agreed earlier this week with Kontonis, the UEFA official reminded that "any deviation from the joint FIFA-UEFA proposals might be considered as contravening the principle according to which all FIFA and UEFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently."

Greek sports ministry officials assured again on Wednesday that during telephone contacts following the latest letter "all misunderstandings have been cleared."

Besides the issue of EPO's future role, the new law introduces new guidelines for the use of security cameras and electronic ticketing, and heavier fines for violent incidents. Endit