Greek government warns of cutting off football funds after ban

One day after Greek football teams received a ban on international competition, Greece's sports minister threatened to cut off government funding to the football association.

FIFA accused the government of interfering with the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) and said it had ignored repeated warnings to stop.

Under the FIFA ban, Greek clubs cannot participate in the Champions League. Athens is also due to host the final of the Champions League next year. UEFA said it was awaiting more detail of the ruling from FIFA before commenting.

Sports minister Giorgos Orfanos expressed surprise at the ban, and said he would seek contact with FIFA president Sepp Blatter Tuesday.

"We explained our positions to Mr. Blatter at a meeting in Zurich on May 29 ... and he assured us he understood our view," Orfanos told state-run NET television.

Orfanos said the Greek FA, which receives state financial support, has undemocratic voting rules and lacks transparency.

"The HFF does not observe the laws of the country," Orfanos said. "We want more democratic voting rules - rules that apply to all other sporting federations in Greece ... If they insist, state protection will be withdrawn."

Greece was an upset winner of the 2004 European Championship in Portugal, but failed to qualify for this year's World Cup in Germany.

Greece's opening qualifying match for the 2008 European Championship is scheduled for Sept. 2 in Moldova. An international friendly at England is planned for Aug. 16.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.