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Summary The Bill gives more powers to state-run Professional Sports Commission to impose penalties on clubs.
The Greek football federation criticized a new government sports Bill saying it could cast the countrys teams into international exile and kill the sport. The Bill, which was passed overwhelmingly, gives more powers to the state-run Professional Sports Commission to impose penalties on clubs and to make frequent inspections of their financial status leading to the issuing of operating licenses.Our intent is to protect the state from unscrupulous groups who do not pay taxes, levies and have criminal records, said Pavlos Geroulanos, the culture minister in charge of sports.The penalties that may occur can be given by the federation, if need be. But this can only be done with proper preparation and if these penalties are to our satisfaction.The federation believes that the Bill is a violation of its self-governed status over football in the country as stipulated by world governing body FIFA and that this may lead to Greek teams being banned from playing in international competitions.The Greek national team is set to play in this summers Euro 2012 while clubs Olympiakos and PAOK are now participating in the Europa League.The federation said it will soon call an extraordinary general assembly meeting to discuss steps to be taken in response to the bill.The federation has not chosen the path of conflict but dialogue and understanding. The federation is the only authority to preserve the presence of Greek football in the international football family, the statement by the federation said.
