Referee

Greek soccer authorities have requested a meeting with Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou and Deputy Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis for the renewal of the contract for video assistant referee (VAR) technology, the officiating system assisting on-field referees in a soccer match, which expires in September.

The governing body of soccer in Europe, UEFA, has decided to suspend its support for foreign referees of the Elite and A categories to officiate in Greek Super League playoff matches, as a consequence of the violent incidents directed against them.

Romanian referee Sebastian Coltescu has apologized over a racial term he used when identifying a Black assistant coach of Istanbul team Başakşehir in a game last week over a phone call with Senagelese striker Demba Ba.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) confirmed on May 8 that teams can make extra substitutions during games to "protect player welfare" in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

A second-division soccer team in Cyprus condemned a "dangerous and cowardly" bombing attack early Friday on the car of the team's vice president.

Aris Limassol's board of directors said in a statement that it hopes the attack isn't connected to the recent upheaval within the sport following allegations of match-fixing and a brief referees' walkout.

Cyprus' soccer federation has suspended all matches after a referee walkout over a bombing attack against a colleague's car.

The federation said on Friday all matches are on hold indefinitely.

Police said the predawn detonation of an explosive device placed on the hood of the car caused extensive damage.

Super League referees decided on Wednesday to call off their abstention from the top flight and the Greek Cup games, originally announced until January 17, which means that this weekend's action will take place as normal after all.

The Greek Soccer Federation has condemned an attack on the home of a video assistant referee only hours after a controversial topflight match decision.

No one was hurt in the house attack early Monday.

A 28-year-old soccer player was given until Monday to prepare his defense against the charge he was involved in the assault and injury of international referee Thanassis Tzilos last December in the central Greek city of Larissa.

The suspect, who turned himself in late last week after police issued an arrest warrant, plays for a team in Piraeus.

Greece's Super League referees decided on Friday to end their strike and resume officiating the country's top division that will return to action on Saturday, January 12 after a forced three-week shutdown.