Greek FA suspends operations, cites fan violence

Published Jun. 3, 2011 3:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Greek Football Association is suspending operations indefinitely in an attempt to reform the country's violence-plagued domestic leagues.

Association chief Sofoklis Pilavios asked for a vote Friday by the body's executive committee, saying he wanted to take the game out of the ''hands of hooligans, violence, and match-fixers.''

The resolution passed 49-7 and the suspension will start Monday, following Greece's 2012 European Championship qualifier at home to Malta on Saturday.

The move is being made during the domestic offseason, which usually lasts until late August.

The FA said that a June 7 exhibition between Greece and Ecuador would go ahead at New York's Citi Field.

Greek soccer has been marred by repeated outbreaks of fan violence this season, along with allegations of corruption.