Greece Suspended By FIFA

[Scott]

From BBC:

Fifa has suspended European champions Greece and its member clubs from international competition because of government interference in the sport.
World governing body Fifa said the Hellenic Football Federation had broken rules on "the independence of members and decision-making in each country".

It means Greek clubs and officials are banned from European competitions.

And it jeopardises Steve McClaren's first game as England boss - a friendly against Greece on 16 August.

The suspension will be in place with "immediate effect and until further notice", according to a Fifa statement.

Fifa said that it had issued several warnings to the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) to guarantee, by a 15 July deadline, that the running of football in the country would be free from political movement - but this had been ignored.

In particular, Fifa cited a proposed new Greek law on professional football leagues in the country that "constitutes another example of interference from the government in football affairs."

Therefore, the statement added, "the Fifa Emergency Committee has determined that this suspension is necessary".

Under the suspension, the likes of AEK Athens, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos will not be allowed to compete in the Champions League or Uefa Cup next season.

Meanwhile, the Football Association's director of communications Adrian Bevington said that he would seek clarification on the matter to find out if England's friendly against Greece at Old Trafford could go ahead.

"Obviously, if Greece have been suspended by Fifa, we would want to speak to Fifa and the Greek Federation to clarify the situation," he said.

[onenedkelly]

Is it true that Olympiacos (Spelling ) will be withdrawn from the CL and Liverpool will take there place and therefore will not have to play qualifying games

FCUKING BETTER NOT BE #furious#

[moxdevil]

If Olympiakos get denied access to the champs league we should put a bid in for Yaya Toure, i'm sure he'd rather be playing in Europe.

[Chris]

He wants to leave anyways doesn't he?

[Busby Boy]

Yeah and L'Arse are faves! Although Wenger has said following the Rosicky signing that he is all done in the TM, hehe.
Though question marks hang over the futures of Fabregas and Ashley Cole so he may be going back into it with the funds from them two sales.

[Scott]

From 365:

FIFA have revealed they could overturn the suspension of the Greek Football Federation (HFF) if the Greek government passes new legislation which could be drafted as soon as next week.

The ban, which prevents the Greece national team, HFF member clubs, players and officials from taking part in any international contact until further notice, was activated by FIFA on Monday after the world governing body concluded there was too much government interference in the country's football affairs.

But the Greek government has assured FIFA they will make the necessary legislative changes to overturn the suspension and aim to have a draft of the new legislation "in FIFA's hands" by next Thursday.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren told PA Sport: "We have not had any formal contact from the Greek government as yet. As the FIFA president (Sepp Blatter) said on Monday, this ban is a warning shot across the bows of the Greek federation to make them understand we will not tolerate any interference.

"The ban is in place until further notice. Once the pre-requisites on government interference are met then we can always review the case and consider lifting the ban."

Greek Sports Minister George Orfanos, who is in constant dialogue with FIFA, claims the changes will be rushed through parliament to ensure the ban is overturned.

"We have heard all the opinions and we will now decide on the final regulations," Orfanos told state television channel NET following Wednesday's session of parliament.

"The process will be speeded up so that the FIFA president Sepp Blatter will have the relative legislation in his hands by (next) Thursday."

Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros added: "The new legislation will immediately withdraw all the controversial articles that have put Greek football outside the World football map."

[Sky Sports 1]

mufcadz said:

Yeah and L'Arse are faves! Although Wenger has said following the Rosicky signing that he is all done in the TM, hehe.
Though question marks hang over the futures of Fabregas and Ashley Cole so he may be going back into it with the funds from them two sales.

Yaya said himself he would 'favour' a move to a different side in the premiership after the trials he had at Arsenal when Wenger decided against signing him. If he's anything like his brother he would be a good signing, and not too expensive either.