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FIFA lifts Greek ban
Greece - 14 July, 2006
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FIFA lifted its international suspension on Greece and its clubs after the nation's parliament passed an amendment supported by FIFA.
The ban went into effect after FIFA ruled there was too much government interference in football affairs. But FIFA reversed the decision after the parliament amended the offending laws, but took away funding from the national football association.
England's 16 August friendly with Greece, which is scheduled to be new English national coach Steve McClaren's first match, should go on as planned. Reigning European champions Greece also will be allowed to defend their title in 2008.
FIFA suspended the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) on 3 July after concluding it did not comply with the world governing body's rules which insist on the independence of football associations and their decision-making processes. FIFA felt there was too much national interference.
FIFA met with the HFF and Greek government to discuss what could be done to see the suspension lifted.
As a result of those talks, the Greek Parliament voted Tuesday to introduce an amendment to legislation governing sport. The amendment states the HFF will operate independently, but it will lose government funding as a result.
Greek sports minister George Orfanos sent a copy of the new law to FIFA president Sepp Blatter Wednesday.
"In view of this amendment, the FIFA emergency committee deemed that the federation is now in a position to respect the statutes and regulations of FIFA as well as those of UEFA," FIFA said in a statement. "As a result, the suspension previously imposed on the HFF has been lifted."
Vassilis Gagatsis, the head of the HFF, was relieved with the ban's lifting.
"A new page is opening for Greek football and it will need a big effort from all of us to achieve progress for the sport," he said. "In this effort we need everybody and we should all work together, in unity, and do whatever is humanly possible so that our football is further enhanced and receives international recognition."
The ban went into effect after FIFA ruled there was too much government interference in football affairs. But FIFA reversed the decision after the parliament amended the offending laws, but took away funding from the national football association.
England's 16 August friendly with Greece, which is scheduled to be new English national coach Steve McClaren's first match, should go on as planned. Reigning European champions Greece also will be allowed to defend their title in 2008.
FIFA suspended the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) on 3 July after concluding it did not comply with the world governing body's rules which insist on the independence of football associations and their decision-making processes. FIFA felt there was too much national interference.
FIFA met with the HFF and Greek government to discuss what could be done to see the suspension lifted.
As a result of those talks, the Greek Parliament voted Tuesday to introduce an amendment to legislation governing sport. The amendment states the HFF will operate independently, but it will lose government funding as a result.
Greek sports minister George Orfanos sent a copy of the new law to FIFA president Sepp Blatter Wednesday.
"In view of this amendment, the FIFA emergency committee deemed that the federation is now in a position to respect the statutes and regulations of FIFA as well as those of UEFA," FIFA said in a statement. "As a result, the suspension previously imposed on the HFF has been lifted."
Vassilis Gagatsis, the head of the HFF, was relieved with the ban's lifting.
"A new page is opening for Greek football and it will need a big effort from all of us to achieve progress for the sport," he said. "In this effort we need everybody and we should all work together, in unity, and do whatever is humanly possible so that our football is further enhanced and receives international recognition."
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