The Hellenic Football Association (EPO) on Friday essentially ceased operation until further notice, after a same-day general assembly vote of 49 to seven opted for such an unprecedented suspension.
FA chief Sofoklis Pilavios called for a vote by the body’s executive, which was carried by a margin of 49-7, arguing that he wanted to take the game out of the “hands of hooligans, violence, and match-fixers.”
The shocking decision followed a proposal by the federation’s president, Sofocles Pilavios, which was also supported by the Super League federation — which runs the first division pro football championship — as well as the groups representing the second and third division pro leagues.
The suspension will start on Monday, after Greece’s 2012 European Championship qualifier at home to Malta on Saturday. Greece leads Group F after three straight wins.
The FA said that a scheduled friendly match between Greece and Ecuador would go ahead at New York’s Citi Field baseball stadium on June 7.
Greek football has been marred by repeated outbreaks of fan violence this season, along with allegations of corruption.
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