Greece suspends all football

All football in Greece has been suspended until 13 April following the death of a supporter and violent scenes outside a women's volleyball match between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos on the outskirts of Athens on Thursday afternoon.

All football suspended
The decision was taken by the country's prime minister Konstantinos Karamanlis after a 25-year-old Panathinaikos supporter died and 12 other people sustained serious injuries in confrontations between rival fans in the Athens suburb of Peania. The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) announced the move in a statement: "In accordance with the decision taken today in an extraordinary meeting held by the prime minister, Konstantinos Karamanlis, the EPO announces the suspension of all football matches in all leagues and divisions, professional and amateur, until Friday 13 April 2007."

New committee
In addition, Greece's state minister and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos has announced the creation of a new inter-ministries committee that will deal with violence in sports. This committee will consist of the ministers of justice, state, public order and sports. "The aim of the committee is to implement the already existing law to its full extent, and to keep the general public informed on this sensitive issue," said Roussopoulos.