Fifa has suspended European champions Greece and its member clubs from international competition because of government interference in the running of the sport.
Fifa said the Hellenic Football Federation had broken rules on “the independence of members and decision-making in each country”.
The suspension will be in place with “immediate effect and until further notice”, according to a Fifa statement.
Fifa said that it had issued several warnings to the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) to guarantee, by a 15 July deadline, that the running of football in the country would be free from political movement – but this had been ignored.
Fifa cited a proposed new Greek law on professional football leagues in the country that “constitutes another example of interference from the government in football affairs.”
Therefore, the statement added, “the Fifa Emergency Committee has determined that this suspension is necessary”.
Under the suspension, Greek clubs and officials are banned from European competitions.
