Financial crisis forces Greek second division postponement

Greece's second soccer division Football League announced on Wednesday the postponement of the start of the season due to financial difficulties being faced by most clubs.

"The board of directors of the Football League decided to postpone the start of the championship indefinitely because of serious economic and institutional problems,» the announcement by the league said.

The Football League was scheduled to start the weekend of September 27-28.

According to the announcement, the league has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, leaders of other political parties, the Greek soccer federation and the first division Super League «asking them to intervene to resolve these issues."

According to media reports, the major sponsor of the league clubs, the Greek Organization of Football Prognostics (OPAP), has cut by 30 percent funding to the Football League for this season compared to last year.

OPAP is a public company based in Athens that exclusively operates and manages numerical lottery and sport betting games in the country and is Europe's biggest betting firm.

[AFP]