Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis is hoping his country will avoid international sanctions after cancelling this season’s Greek Cup because of crowd violence.

FIFA and UEFA, the respective ruling bodies of world and European soccer, have asked for the Greek Cup to be reinstated by April 1 after the competition was scrapped by the government earlier this month.

The decision was made after the first leg of the semi-final between PAOK Salonika and Olympiakos on March 2 was abandoned due to a pitch invasion, with fans hurling flares and missiles before being dispersed by riot police.

Failure to meet the April 1 deadline could result in the suspension of the Greek federation, clubs being stopped from playing in Europe and the national side barred from international tournaments.

“I took the initiative to speak today because the situation is very unsettled,” Kontonis told a news conference ahead of a planned visit to Athens by FIFA and UEFA tomorrow.

“What cannot be tinkered with further is a law which was already passed and is already being applied to the letter.

“For all themes, however, I want to hear suggestions and I believe that we’ll have a very smooth meeting.”

Before the FIFA and UEFA delegations arrive, the Hellenic Football Federation will appeal to Greece’s Supreme Court today to reverse the decision made by Kontonis.