Hooligans and graft drive away soccer fans
Greek soccer fans have lost interest in the domestic Super League due to hooliganism and because they believe that club owners have an influence on the results of matches, according to a survey made public yesterday. Almost eight of 10 respondents think that the owners of the teams as well as club officials influence the outcome of league games. A similar share of fans feels that club owners pressure referees. More than half (52 percent) of those questioned said that violence and fanaticism is the main problem ailing Greek soccer. Only 19 percent of supporters appear to think that the standard of Greek soccer is good, whereas 48 percent feel that it offers a poor spectacle. The telephone survey sampled 1,616 men and was conducted by Tradelink on behalf of the Super League.