FIFA satisfied with EPO progress, foreign referees to continue overseeing major matches
In a press-conference, FIFA Director for European Associations Bjorn Vassallo revealed his relative satisfaction with the progress of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO), with Vitor Melo Pereira to continue as the EPO Refereeing Department chairman.
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After the Greek Cup final between PAOK and AEK (1:0), Pereira found himself receiving bad press, with a potentially illegal late change having been made to the referee line-up. However, despite that issue, FIFA and UEFA are satisfied with his work and Pereira will continue in his role of EPO Refereeing Department chairman for the 2019/2020 season. Pereira has been rewarded with a contract extension until July 2020.
Juan Fernandez Marin and Leif Lindberg, who work alongside Pereira in the EPO Refereeing Department, have also been granted new contracts for the upcoming campaign.
Herbert Hubel remains in his position of the Independent Consultant of the EPO and Petr Fousek will stay as the Independent Expert for the organisation.
It was also decided to maintain the tradition of appointing foreign referees for all major Greek derbies in the 2019/2020 Super League campaign. This has been the case ever since the infamous PAOK - AEK match in the 2017/2018 season which saw utter chaos ensue after the hosts had a late goal disallowed for offside.
FIFA and UEFA both firmly believe that the standard of refereeing in Greece has risen since foreigners were appointed for the headlines games.
A decision on a possible new format for the Greek Cup will be discussed in the coming months.
