Soccer fans in Greece will need cell phones to buy tickets

Soccer fans in Greece will have to use a state-run digital identification app on their cell phones to buy tickets for games after a security ban on supporters expires next month.

The measure is part of a crackdown on sports-related violence that forced soccer clubs to close stadiums to fans for two months through Feb. 12. It was ordered after a police officer was shot with a flare during a fan riot in Athens last month and later died in the hospital from his injuries.

Greek Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis presented details of the new ticketing rules to a parliamentary committee Monday, confirming that stadiums will re-open on Feb. 13.

"So far, we have not been able to do something that's obvious: To identify people who are entering a stadium," the minister said in an interview with state-run television ahead of the presentation. "With the help of a mobile...