Citizens’ Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos gave the police services until 17 August to complete inspections at the stadiums hosting matches of the 2022-2023 Super League Championship starting from 20 August, with strict instructions given regarding the measures, during a wide meeting held today at the Katehaki Palace to control the violence in the stadiums.

At the same time, a “safari” of checks on fan clubs was launched in order not to open those that do not comply with the letter of the requirements of the law, while three main parameters were identified for the uninterrupted operation of the championship.

1. All tickets will be electronic and personalised, and identity verification will be carried out by the Greek police at the entrance to the stadiums, with the relevant statutory fines imposed on violators.

2. No fan will be allowed into the stadium without a ticket. It is noted that if someone enters with someone else’s ticket and creates incidents, the person in whose name the ticket is issued will also be liable.

3. Fan clubs operate on the terms provided by law.

“None of the existing hooligan shops should reopen,” Mr. Theodorikakos emphasized, noting that “the 2022-23 Super League championship will start with the full implementation of the legislation.”

The minister was informed by the competent officers of the checks carried out by the Greek police in fan clubs to ensure that they act in accordance with the law, and demanded that technical control be carried out by August 17 of all surveillance cameras and control rooms in 14 stadiums that will host Championship matches.

“The Greek police are the guarantor of the law,” Mr. Theodorikakos said after the meeting and stressed: “Last year there was an event that shocked Greek society, the murder of 19-year-old Alkis, all those responsible were arrested, but our absolute priority should be to so that an incident like this never happens again. Control will be strict so that the law is carried out literally. None of the existing hooligan shops should open again.”

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Eleftherios Oikonomu, Secretary General of Public Order Konstantinos Tsouvalas, Chief of the Greek Police Lieutenant General Konstantinos Koumas, Deputy Chief of the Greek Police Lieutenant General George Yianninas, Inspector General of the Police of Southern Greece Lieutenant General George Kanos, Head branch of the Order, Lieutenant General Eleftherios Garilas and the Director General of the Police of Attica, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Durvetakis.