And officially now, as it was published on GAZETTE and the related Act of Legislative Content, the conduct of matches without the presence of spectators comes into force. As clarified, this decision concerns Super League 1 matches, those of the Cup since the matches feature teams from the professional league and the friendly matches in which teams from this category will compete equally. Among other things it states that in cameraimposing a ban on the sale of tickets, also applies to European football matches of Greek teams, as the case may be.
It details…
The Super League games are closed for two months
The Act of Legislative Content published in the Official Gazette provides for Super League 1 matches, the Greek Cup, as well as friendly matches to be played without fans, as long as the home team participates in the professional championship of the A1 national men’s category (Super League 1 ) and the professional championship of the A2 national men’s category (Super League 2).
The specific measure “behind closed doors” will be valid until February 12, 2024 and, as the case may be, also in the home European matches of the Greek teams.
With the issuance of a Joint Ministerial Decision by the Minister of Citizen Protection and the Deputy Minister of Sports, this measure will be able to be extended, on a case-by-case basis, to home European matches of the Greek teams for reasons of public order protection and security.
According to the announcements of the Government representative, Mr. P. Marinakis, the execution of the penalties for holding games without spectators that have already been imposed until the publication of the Legislative Content Act or that are imposed during the period of its application is suspended until February 12, 2024.
Until February 12, 2024, the results of the application of the above decision will be evaluated, in order to consider the extension of its application, in the event that the legal conditions for the safe conduct of football matches are not fully respected. The aim is to avoid risks to the life and physical integrity of the participants, as well as the maximum possible safeguarding of public order and safety.
By this date, the fulfillment of the following conditions will be considered:
– Installation and operation of high-definition cameras in accordance with UEFA specifications in all the super league 1 stadiums and at the same time seamless possibility of their control and utilization of their material by the competent authorities and
– Fan electronic entry system with simultaneous identity verification. In addition, within the period of these 2 months, the Deputy Minister of Sports will announce a series of administrative measures, including automatic sanctions against teams in cases of incidents, beyond those provided for in sports justice.
In particular, the Legislative Content Act provides for the following:
Article one
Emergency measures prohibiting the sale of tickets and the presence of spectators at football matches for imperative reasons of public order and security.
1. For the period from the publication of this notice until February 12, 2024, the sale of tickets and the presence of spectators at football matches are prohibited:
(a) Of the professional championship of the A1 national men’s category (Super League 1) season 2023-2024,
(b) the Hellenic Cup, as well as the friendly matches, as long as the home team participates in the professional championship of the A1 national men’s category (Super League 1) season 2023-2024,
(c) the professional championship of the A2 national men’s category (Super League 2) season 2023-2024, as well as in the friendly matches, as long as the home team is formed and maintained as the second team (B’ team) of Football Corporation (P.A. E.) who is a member of the professional association of par. 1 of article 97 of law 2725/1999 (A’ 121), in accordance with article 108B of law 2725/1999.
During the application of this, up to ten (10) representatives of each team are allowed to enter the stands of the stadium, provided that the above representatives are members of the Board of Directors or hold a managerial position in the team. The above number does not include the officials who are declared on the Match Sheet.
The execution of the penalties for holding games without spectators that have been imposed until the publication of this or that are imposed during the period of the first paragraph is suspended until February 12, 2024.
2. For the time period of par. 1, the distribution of tickets to the visiting team is prohibited
a) in the football matches of the Greek Cup and in the friendly matches, as long as the visiting team participates in the professional championship of the A1 National men’s category (Super League 1) season 2023-2024, as well as
b) in football matches of the professional championship of the A2 national men’s category (Super League 2) season 2023-2024 and in friendly matches if the visiting team is formed and maintained as a B team within the meaning of paragraph (c) of paragraph 1 During the application of this, up to ten (10) representatives of the visiting team are allowed to enter the stands of the stadium, applied according to the second and third paragraphs of par. 1.
3. By joint decision of the Minister responsible for sports and the Minister of Citizen Protection, for the time period of par. 1, it is possible, for compelling reasons to protect public order and security, to impose a ban on the sale of tickets and the presence of spectators in football matches of the inter-club competitions of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), if a Greek team is the home team, and to provide for the maximum number of representatives of the teams, who are allowed to enter the stands of the stadium.
4. In the case of ticket sales or the presence of spectators in violation of the prohibitions of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, the exclusion from the professional championship of the A1 national category is imposed on the P.A.E., by decision of the Minister responsible for sports men’s (Super League 1) for the 2023-2024 season.
5. Until February 12, 2024, the results of the application of the present will be evaluated, in order to consider the extension of its application, in the event that the legal conditions for the safe conduct of football matches are not fully respected and there is a risk of endangering the life and physical integrity of the participants, as well as public order and security.
Article two
Start of force
The validity of the present, which will be ratified by law according to par. 1 of article 44 of the Constitution, begins from its publication in the Government Gazette.
Athens, December 11, 2023
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
