FIFA and UEFA have threatened the Greek Ministry of Sports that they may ban Greece’s teams from all international tournaments unless there are several changes in the new sports law. The new sports legislation drafted by Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis gives more power to the state to decide on football issues, something that is contrary to the international rules of FIFA and UEFA that want the football federations of each country to be self-governed. FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke and UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino sent a co-signed letter to Kontonis asking him to change several of the draft bill’s 15 articles that are contrary to FIFA and UEFA regulations. The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) also opposes sevaral articles of the new sports law and sent a letter to Kontonis warning him that he is putting Greek football in danger. The Deputy Sports Minister proceeded with the new draft in an effort to battle football violence. However, several articles of the bill allow the state intervene on issues governed by EPO and take power away from it. Kontonis wants to change the EPO electoral system and the way judges on football matters are assigned. Also, according to the draft, Greek football clubs will be banned from participating in international tournaments as punishment for football violence. However, FIFA and UEFA are the only authorities that can decide whether Greek football clubs can participate in international tournaments or not. Finally, according to the international football authorities, only EPO has the right to postpone or cancel games for security reasons. So far, the Deputy Sports Minister says he is not willing to back down because he claims “EPO cannot be above the law and the Greek state.” That could bring him on a head-on collision with the international football authorities and leave Greece out of the European and international football map.
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