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Violence Forces Football To Go On Break In Greece. Has The Greek FA Got It Right?

Angela Asante, June 3 2011,
Too much violence and frauds. Football needs a break. The love of the game has been overshadowed by immoderate tensions in Greece, so the country’s FA has decided to call it off for some time.
Violence in Greek football is a serious issue at the moment, with the Greek Cup final resulting in a chaos.
Violence in Greek football is a serious issue at the moment, with the Greek Cup final resulting in a chaos.
Related Content:

Greece
Malta
Related Articles: Sofoklis Pilavios, Greece, Malta
On Friday, The Associated Press reported that Greece’s self-suspension is set to start on Monday, June 6. This means that the Galanolefki will have the chance to pursue their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign this weekend as they have been scheduled to host Malta.

Sofoklis Pilavios, who expressed his ambition to save Greece’s football from the “influence of hooligans, violence and match-fixers” called for the body’s executive to cast votes. The process resulted in a 49-7 result as the FA won the right to go ahead with the suspension. Commentating on the issue, FA chief Pilavios affirmed:

“We are facing a very major problem of violence [in Greek football]. We have a choice to make: Do we want our football to be in the hands of hooligans, violence, and match-fixers, forgers, and liars?

“Do we want a game with deals made under the table, exploited by politicians? Do we want a game of violence and threats? Or do we want a game based on strong institutions and rules and strong moral grounding?”

To confirm the new rule that has hit football in Greece, a statement from the FA, according to The Associated Press, also read:

“Operations of the Greek FA will be suspended indefinitely starting June 6—pending the completion of talks with the government, political parties and league organizers.”

Violence in football is indeed a big topic in Greece, with the final of the Greek Cup in late April producing ugly scenes between fans and police men. Has the Greek FA taken a good decision in suspending the country’s football? Discuss this topic through the comment field below.

Greece vs Malta

Date: Saturday, 4 Jun 2011
Time: 14:30 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki (Pireás (Piraeus))

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