The prospect of saving Greek soccer from trouble on and off the pitch moved a step closer yesterday after the government gave its backing to the blueprint that is to lead to the creation of a Super League.

Representatives of the country's top soccer clubs handed the proposals to Sports Minister Giorgos Orfanos. «The big teams are determined to put their personal interests aside and work for the progress of soccer, which will help everybody,» said Orfanos.

Led by Greece's biggest teams, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos, the clubs want to create a smaller and more financially attractive top division and have greater control over eradicating the problems that currently plague Greece's most popular sport, such as crowd violence and low attendance.

«This is a big day for Greek soccer,» said Olympiakos Vice President Petros Kokkalis.

Orfanos said a draft law would be submitted to Parliament soon so the Super League could begin operating in its new format when the next season begins in some six months.