Football
Associated Press 7y

Greece enlists terror squad after referee's home burned

ATHENS, Greece -- Greece is enlisting anti-terrorism police to investigate a suspected arson attack on a top referee's home, which prompted the suspension of all league games.

Sports Minister Giorgos Vassiliadis says the left-led government is also prepared to pull domestic clubs out of European competitions unless "normality" is restored.

Greek football has been plagued for years by persistent fan violence and allegations of corruption and match-fixing.

The government briefly delayed the start of the top division in September, arguing that a festering squabble involving the federation, league organisers, and clubs posed serious security concerns.

Vassiliadis said the government "will not accept mafia-style gangs" operating in Greek football. He spoke on Thursday after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

League matches were indefinitely suspended after Wednesday's blaze, in which nobody was hurt.

^ Back to Top ^