Strapped soccer clubs extend strike action
Soccer league games were halted for a second week yesterday, following the closure last month of a subscription TV channel which broadcast games and the government’s refusal to replace part of the lost revenues. Games may resume on October 26 if league organizers do not decide to extend the strike. No games had been scheduled until that date due to national team qualifiers for Euro 2004 and municipal elections. The crisis, affecting Greece’s three top divisions, began with last month’s collapse of the Alpha Digital satellite television channel, bringing many soccer clubs to the verge of bankruptcy. TV revenue losses are estimated at 35 million euros a year. (AP)