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Greek gvn't, football federations seek deal to open league season

Xinhua, August 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Greece's government and representatives of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) as well as FIFA and UEFA launched talks on Monday in Athens seeking to reach a deal to open the 2016-2017 league season.

In previous years the championships started in late August.

Following a stormy 2015-2016 season that was interrupted three times due to violence, Greek Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis announced in mid August the suspension of the start of the games until at least September 5 on grounds of safety.

The Greek official cited a police report that there was increased risk of fresh violent incidents should the league started under the current EPO administration due to mounting tensions regarding EPO's choices concerning the procedure for the appointment of referees among other issues.

At least three Super League clubs have sent letters to the Minister lately accusing EPO of corruption and stating that they will not participate in the championship unless drastic measures are taken in coming days.

"The league will start once order is restored," Kontonis stressed after a meeting with FIFA and UEFA envoys, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Monday.

EPO is expected to make a U-turn in coming days to open the way for the start of the games most likely on September 10, according to local sports newspapers citing EPO sources.

If the tension and the suspension continue for long Greece faces again the risk of a "football Grexit", clubs warn.

Last spring after the suspension of games by the Ministry three times due to violent clashes between fans that have led to the death of a fan and the injuries of several players, referees and spectators, Greek football clubs and the national team faced the risk of expulsion from international competitions.

The "football Grexit" was averted after an agreement between Greece and federations on EPO's governance model and measures to address crowd violence. Endit