Greece and FIFA on Tuesday reached an agreement to restart the Greek Cup, that was suspended by Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis because of violence in early March.
Kontonis had decided to stop the Greek Cup after PAOK fans stormed the pitch and clashed with police during a PAOK-Olympiacos semi final game. The deputy claimed his decision was to protect public order and social cohesion.
The decision was considered by FIFA and UEFA as an intervention to the self-governance of football federations, and the two football authorities warned Athens of suspension of all Greek clubs and national teams from international competitions.
The meeting between Kontonis, the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) and FIFA/UEFA representative Kostakis Koutsokoumnis, put an end to scenarios of a football Grexit.
According to Koutsokoumnis, EPO will withdraw its appeal to the State Council and formally request that the Football Cup resumes. Kontonis pledged to accept this concession and resume the competition. EPO also pledged to comply to all FIFA regulations and requirements regarding transparency.
FIFA officials will visit Athens next week, in order to ensure that EPO’s regulatory framework complies with FIFA regulations in relation to the self-governance of football federations.
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