European football chief Michel Platini met Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou yesterday to discuss practical ways to stop violence and corruption in Greek football.

“It was an extremely constructive meeting, during which various issues were discussed, and confirmed the willingness of both parties to put an end to the phenomena of violence and corruption we see in Greek stadiums,” said Culture and Tourism Minister Pavlos Geroulanos.

Geroulanos, who is in charge of professional sport in the country, also attended the meeting, as did Greek football federation president Sofocles Pilavios.

UEFA president Platini made a brief visit to Athens to look at the progress being made in the ongoing investigation into match-fixing in the professional leagues, as well as measures taken to combat violence on and off the pitch.

“In this direction there will be upcoming visits by four UEFA groups dealing with match-fixing, doping, violence on the pitch and refereeing,” added Geroulanos.

“These visits will help the Greek state and the federation in receiving the proper knowhow to address these phenomena.”

The domestic Athens News Agency, quoting government sources, said Platini did not ask the Greek government for specific measures to be taken but that the meeting was more “a confirmation of the willingness of both sides to co-operate on the basis of how to clean up the sport and restore its credibility”.