ATHENS: The Greek cup, after all, is to be reactivated following a deal between the government and football federation brokered by pressure from world and European federations FIFA and UEFA.

Greece had risked suspension from international competition and from participation in FIFA Congress next month after the government’s decision last month to halt the cup after a pitch invasion forced the abandonment of the semi-final first leg between PAOK Salonika and Olympiakos Piraeus on March 2.

The Greek decision was considered political interference and thus a a breach of national and international statutes by FIFA and UEFA.

Athens talks between a FIFA delegation and Deputy Sports Minister Stavros Kontonis and Greek FA officials persuaded the Ministry to promise to approve a federation request for the cup to restart. Further talks will then rule on security provisions for the concluding matches.

They could all be played behind closed doors.

###########