FIFA says Greece risks suspension over new law

Posted Friday, February 17, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

FIFA warned Greek lawmakers Thursday that the country risks suspension from world football if it proceeds with a new law compromising the national football body’s operational independence.

FIFA’s message was issued less than four months before Greece is scheduled to play in the opening match of the European Championship being hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

Football’s world governing body moved to protect its Greek member federation (EPO), which had complained about new legislation affecting its freedom to manage its own affairs.

FIFA said it has asked football officials to alert lawmakers of “discrepancies” between the bill and the sport’s rules.

The Greek body was advised “to inform the relevant authorities that, should the bill include binding regulations in contradiction with the FIFA Statutes, FIFA will have to refer the case to the relevant FIFA bodies with all potential adverse consequences,” the governing body said in a statement.

A suspension, though unlikely at this stage, could affect the 2004 European champion taking part at Euro 2012.

Greece is scheduled to face co-host Poland in the opening match on June 8 in Warsaw. Their group includes the Czech Republic and Russia.

In 2006, Greece was briefly suspended by FIFA over a similar dispute, which forced the government to amend legislation.

The federation is sending FIFA details of the new legislation that gives expanded powers to a state-controlled sporting oversight committee, along with transcripts that it said include “abusive language” used by lawmakers against football officials.

The government argues the provisions are necessary to clean up professional leagues, amid an ongoing investigation into match-fixing scandals.