Greece awaits football ban ruling

ATHENS, Greece -- Greece is facing a ban from world soccer in an on-going row over government involvement in the sport.

Football's world governing body, FIFA, is deciding whether to impose a ban which would exclude Greece from the World Cup.

FIFA, which met on Thursday, wants the Greek Football Association (EPO) to be free from interference by the Greek government.

Any ban would affect the national side's World Cup qualifying campaign and prevent Greek clubs from playing in European competitions.

Greek champions Olympiakos have told EPO they would seek multi-million dollar damages if they were barred from next season's European Champions League.

The Greek government wants to reform the domestic game with new rules covering drug tests and revenue from betting.

The domestic league is suffering declining attendances, match-fixing allegations and poor refereeing.

Greece is due to play two World Cup qualifying matches against Albania and England in June.

If Greece is expelled from FIFA, these games will have to be postponed or cancelled.

FIFA
Greek Football Association

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