Greece banned from international and club football tournaments

[Poor Student]

From FIFA's site:

FIFA suspends the Hellenic Football Federation

The FIFA Emergency Committee, composed of five presidents and one representative of each of the six confederations, today (3 July 2006) decided to suspend the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF), having determined that the situation of the HFF is not in line with the principles of the FIFA Statutes regarding the independence of member associations and the independence of the decision-making process of the football-governing body in each country.
In September 2005, the FIFA Executive Committee gave the HFF a deadline of 15 July 2006 to obtain from the Greek government an amendment to the national law on sports in order to enable the association to be in conformity with the FIFA Statutes and the relevant UEFA regulations.

In spite of repeated warnings from both FIFA and UEFA, the commitment expressed by Greek government representatives to amend the law on sport to irrevocably recognise that football matters can only be decided by the HFF and its subordinated football structures has not been respected. In fact, the recently-presented draft of a new law on professional leagues constitutes another example of interference from the government in football affairs. Therefore, the FIFA Emergency Committee has determined that the deadline would not be met by the HFF and that the suspension of this federation was necessary.

This decision means that the HFF and all of its members (clubs, players, officials) are suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all international contact, which also includes participation in international competitions at all levels, the organisation of international matches in Greece and the appointment of officials for international duties.

Further information from:
FIFA Media Department
media@fifa.org "

[LeixlipRed]

Possibly no Italian and Greek teams in Europe this year. Has there ever been a higher chance an Irish side could go all the way? :p

[hoops1]

Not while there is still teams from Malta allowed enter!

[pineapple stu]

That's the group with Turkey in it as well - playing their first three home games at a neutral venue. Norway must be delighted!

[Risteard]

Anyone have a clue exactly what government interference FIFA are complaining about?

[pineapple stu]

Greek football has been riddled with corruption allegations for years, as far as I know. Could be any one of numerous things.

[ifk101]

I'm not 100% sure of the reasoning but my understanding is that the Greek state is actively controlling how state funding is being spent by the Greek FA - obviously to stop Greek FA officials from putting it into their own back pockets. FIFA regulations require that the Greek FA is independent from state control/involvement/intervention.

[tetsujin1979]

From what I've read, it seems the Sports Minister can overrule the Greek FA on football matters, under FIFA law, the FA and the goverment have to be seperate entities

[pete]

Thsi is huge news as this has happened before but only for backwater countries & not reigning European Champions.

Any chance they'll kick Cyprus out too as sure they like to think they Greeks too ;)

[dancinpants]

Heard on Fox Sports Report last night that both Portugal and Poland were in danger of similar sanctions but they took the necessary steps to comply with FIFA.

[osarusan]

From FIFA's site:

FIFA suspends the Hellenic Football Federation

The FIFA Emergency Committee, composed of five presidents and one representative of each of the six confederations, today (3 July 2006) decided to suspend the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF), having determined that the situation of the HFF is not in line with the principles of the FIFA Statutes regarding the independence of member associations and the independence of the decision-making process of the football-governing body in each country.
In September 2005, the FIFA Executive Committee gave the HFF a deadline of 15 July 2006 to obtain from the Greek government an amendment to the national law on sports in order to enable the association to be in conformity with the FIFA Statutes and the relevant UEFA regulations.

In spite of repeated warnings from both FIFA and UEFA, the commitment expressed by Greek government representatives to amend the law on sport to irrevocably recognise that football matters can only be decided by the HFF and its subordinated football structures has not been respected. In fact, the recently-presented draft of a new law on professional leagues constitutes another example of interference from the government in football affairs. Therefore, the FIFA Emergency Committee has determined that the deadline would not be met by the HFF and that the suspension of this federation was necessary.

This decision means that the HFF and all of its members (clubs, players, officials) are suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all international contact, which also includes participation in international competitions at all levels, the organisation of international matches in Greece and the appointment of officials for international duties.

Further information from:
FIFA Media Department
media@fifa.org "


The ruling has been overturned as the Greek government amended the system to avoid any future interference.

Greece will be free to play in all competitions.

[The Stars]

Ireland should be banned aswell for the FAIs neglegence towards its club sides;)

[CollegeTillIDie]

Ireland should be banned aswell for the FAIs neglegence towards its club sides;)

Well if you don't think the government supports our game enough , vote the buggers out in 2007! Unfortunately we don't have that option with the FAI!