Greek officials strike after ref attack

Thansis Tzilos was attacked by a group of four hooded muggers as he left his home in the town of Larissa on Wednesday. The attack left the young official, had only recently earned his FIFA badge, needing hospital treatment. He received stitches for injuries to his head and legs, and was duly realeased from hospital on Thursday. 

Tzilos last officiated a match 10 days previous, when Xanthi drew 1-1 with Olympiakos. According to claims made by 'Sport24.gr' there have been 33 attacks and or threats to officials in Greece since 2009.  The Greek association of referees has since released a statement on the matter, which read: 'As a minimum sign of sympathy for our worthy colleague we will refrain from our activities until further notice. We express our indignation of the cowardly attack against our colleague Thanasis Tzilos and the repeated attacks on referees. We will not allow those people to continue trying to terrorise us.'

Meanwhile, one of the clubs involved in Tzilos last match, Olympiakos, said "Greek football has reached the pits", while former champion Panathinaikos also said: 'the mafia in Greek football lives and reigns.'

The Greek Federation has informed UEFA and FIFA of the incident, and local police are continuing an investigation by menas of finding and charging the culprits.