"There has been no interference by the state as far as running the game is concerned," Sports Minister George Floridis said. "Our policy is strictly in line with the overall European Union framework on sports."
FIFA issued a warning on Tuesday, threatening to drop Greek clubs and national squads from all international competition if the government did not stop meddling in domestic football and the Greek Football Association (EPO) before the end of the month.
"If this does not happen within the allotted time period then EPO's membership of FIFA will be suspended with immediate effect," FIFA said.
The ban could include the 2002 World Cup and Olympic soccer competition in 2004 to be held in Greece. The Greek national squad is presently playing in European World Cup qualifying group nine with England, Germany, Finland and Albania.
The warning was issued after FIFA's executive committee vice-president David Will completed a 48-hour round of discussions with EPO and ministry officials last week.
Floridis said FIFA had been misinformed.
"I believe the issue with FIFA will be resolved once we provide them with our information. I think this will clear up the whole incident without having to stick to specific dates issued by FIFA," he said.
FIFA's visit was triggered by an on-going feud between EPO and the government on the state of Greek football, which has been hit by dwindling attendances, allegations of match-rigging and bad stadia conditions.
The row has escalated to a major political issue and revolves around doping control, cross-ownership and EPO vice-president Victor Mitropoulos.
Mitropoulos is to appear in a court case concerning financial deals in the early 1990s when he was president of the Egaleo football club. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Reuters
Greece rejected claims by soccer's world governing body FIFA that the government was meddling in Greek soccer, risking a ban from international competition.
