Sports Law & Practice

The efficacy of football governance in Greece has been put into question many times in the past. It is not a new phenomenon for Greek self-regulation and state involvement and, those close to affairs in Greece, know very well that the root of the problem goes deeper, with socio-political aspects forming the basis for every analysis. The latest events, however, in Thessaloniki  http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/greek-super-league-suspended-paok-president-ivan-savvidis-gun-invade-pitch-a8252161.html (not Salonica as Media call it), indicate not only the degree of the problem, but, more importantly, the numbness surrounding the Greek authorities.

It is more often than not that Media around the world feel obliged to publicise stories involving professionals (a term that may not be applicable to all of those concerned) who have been assigned to promote, safeguard and maximise the employment and commercial opportunities of their football clients.  Such stories tend to focus on the ability of such professionals to make a quick profit for little work involved. Indeed, I suggested in a previous post  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141113135420-55498583-football-agents-tapping-up-business-as-usual/  that football and its commodification and enormous commercial value have created the basis upon which quick deals could be established and millions of pounds could be exchanged between parties. I also argued, in such post, that the purposeful and efficient application of the regulatory framework could ensure the elimination of  illegal and immoral activities such as 'tapping up.'