Greece must hold its next two 2008 European championship qualifiers outside of Athens because of fan violence in the match against Turkey last month, according to AP. UEFA also fined the Greek soccer federation 100,000 Swiss francs (US$83,250; ¤61,000) after Turkey beat Greece 4-1 in Group C at Karaiskakis Stadium on March 24. «Greece must stage its June 2 and 6 qualifiers against Hungary and Moldova at least 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the Greek capital,» the federation said, quoting a UEFA statement. The penalty was imposed after fan incidents «which included fireworks and missiles being thrown, racist banners displayed and a general lack of organization.» Plans were announced earlier this month to introduce surveillance cameras at all main Greek soccer stadiums and force fans to prove their identity when buying tickets in a bid to combat domestic hooliganism. All Greek professional team sports were suspended for two weeks after a fan was killed in March 29 clashes between supporters of Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. Turkey leads Group C with 13 points, followed Greece with 12, and Bosnia and Norway with 7. Hungary, Malta and Moldova are also in the group. Athens hosts the Champions League final on May 23 at the Olympic stadium.
