Greek government suspends football indefinitely

The Greek government has suspended professional football in the country indefinitely. The suspension follows violence at Sunday's Super League match between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, as well as a brawl between club officials at a board meeting on Tuesday.

The league has already been suspended twice this season in September and November because of violence. 

Newly-elected ruling party Syriza have pledged to stamp out the problem. The suspension affects the country's top three divisions.

"We have a new government who are looking to bring this subject up for discussion and implement state laws related to it," said Super League president Giorgos Borovilos. 

"The government wants games to start again as soon as possible, but for that they want to see immediate reactions from all of us." 

Fans hurled flares, rocks and bottles at officials during Panathinaikos's 2-1 victory  over leaders Olympiakos. 

An executive meeting of Super League officials was then called off after a Panathinaikos official claimed he had been punched by Olympiakos security personnel. The two Athens clubs are known as the 'eternal enemies' and share a fierce rivalry.

 

This season's first suspension was caused by the death of a fan after clashes between supporters of third-division teams Ethnikos Piraeus and Irodotos. The second sanction followed an assault on the assistant director of the refereeing committee. 

...BBCSport