Greek Football Federation warned after violent crowd behaviour forced abandonment: Football News
Greek government has made it clear that it would stop all the fundings to the football federation of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Greece-c2908 if it fails to stop the improper conduct that is currently surrounding Greek football.
Greek Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Giorgos Nikitiadis, warned the federation and questioned their credibility. He was talking in the wake of riots that took place in AEK Athens’ game against Atromitos. It was a Greek Cup final which had to be
abandoned before the final whistle was blown. Athens won the encounter though by a 3-0 margin, but their spectacular performance was overshadowed by the crowd’s disruptiveness.
This crowd behaviour took everyone by surprise and it enforced Nikitiadis into making a statement that signalled a warning for the football federation. The Minister made it clear that if the problem does not get solved on a quick basis then he would have
no option other than to stop the funding, which is aimed at the transition of sport in the country.
Further commenting upon the crisis situation, Nikitiadis added, "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."
Minister urged the federation to enforce some new laws according to which the spectators must have some rules and regulations in mind before they enter the stadium. He voiced his opinion about the carriage of the things like fire crackers, lasers and demanded
an immediate ban on these things in order to improve the situation.
Nikitiadis concluded by saying, "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?"
It was believed that there were almost 22 police personnel who got injured during the riots. Another source told that AEK Athens’ fan club was also burned down to ashes following their victory in the final.
Athens finished the Greek Super League, third in the table with 46 points and have qualified for the UEFA Europa League alongside PAOK Salonika. This victory in the final was Athens’ first since 2002.
Tags: