Greece have blamed the country's economic crisis for their inability to fulfil a World Cup qualifying fixture.

The Greeks were due to travel to Malta next week for the away leg of their European Championship C tie.

A statement from the Rugby League European Federation said: "On October 1 the Hellenic Federation of Rugby League informed the RLEF its national team would not be able to fulfil the away leg in Malta on October 10, citing the country's economic difficulties and the withdrawal of two sponsors.

"The RLEF Board has ordered an inquiry and awarded the match 30-0 to Malta."

Doubts now surround the final match of the competition in which Spain are due to play Greece in Athens on October 17, when a draw or a win would secure the Spanish a berth in the 2016 European qualifiers for the 2017 World Cup.