Gianni Infantino... useful advice.

Greece are hopeful of avoiding FIFA and UEFA bans from international and European competitions over a proposed new sports law, the country’s Football Federation (EPO) chief George Gkirtzikis said yesterday.

Greece were warned that they could face a suspension over government interference if the sports law was voted in.

But after emerging from talks between Stavros Kontonis, Deputy Minister for Education, Culture and Religious Affairs, and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, Gkirtzikis indicated a compromise over the law had been reached.

“During the meeting our understanding is that the state will make some changes, which both federations are awaiting,” he said.

“The law has been deferred to be discussed next week. We serve football and no one wants to be excluded from international competitions. Mr Infantino came to give some useful advice in order to avoid a (ban) and examine the text which will be submitted to a vote in Parliament.”

Following continuous problems with crowd trouble, the government has put together a new set of regulations in an attempt to crack down on violence at sports events.

But FIFA and UEFA have strict rules to protect their member federations’ independence in running their own affairs and sent a joint letter to Gkirtzikis warning they “would have no option but to refer the case to the relevant bodies for immediate sanctions, including the suspension of EPO.”