Minister football federation head discuss hooliganism problem

Culture & Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos on Tuesday met with Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) President Sofoklis Pilavios to discuss the problem of hooliganism in Greece, after the violence that marred Sunday’s derby between Olympiacos Piraeus and Panathinaikos Athens.

Geroulanos stressed that violence in sports should be tackled as a whole and briefed the EPO president on the relevant draft law set to be presented for public debate in March.

On his part, Pilavios pledged that EPO will proceed with the amendment of its disciplinary code in June to make it stricter.
“Our priority is to end the football championship in the best possible conditions,” Geroulanos stressed, adding that “it is important to know that the state can take radical measures that can change the Greek football for ever. However, before getting there we should use every tool in our disposal to make sure that we can have the championship we deserve”.

In the next few days, Geroulanos will meet with Greek Organization of Football Prognostics (OPAP) S.A. CEO Yiannis Spanoudakis to discuss the inclusion of tougher clauses against violence in the sponsorship contracts signed with the state-run organisation, while Deputy Culture & Tourism Minister Giorgos Nikitiadis will meet on Wednesday with representatives of Olympiakos and Panathinaikos football clubs.