Giorgos Nikitiadis, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism told a press conference that the state was committed to tackling violence. In the latest serious incident, hooligans were suspected to have set fire to the office of an AEK fan club in Athens, two days after the team’s Greek Cup final victory over Atromitos ended in riots.

“We asked the federation to change the disciplinary law at their next general assembly meeting and if this is not done, the state will suspend all funding to the Greek soccer leagues,” Nikitiadis said, according to AFP.

Nikitiadis added: “There must be provisions for throwing flares and firecrackers, and for any fan who goes onto the pitch. Why should we fund a sport that is a disgrace?” Nikitiadis said that around 2,500 hooligans around the country are the cause of the problem.

Authorities have indicated that 22 police officers were injured during the clashes at the Greek Cup final, which saw AEK win 3-0. The match had to be ended early after hooligans poured into the pitch at the Athens Olympic Stadium with AEK leading 3-0. “The issue is not to find who has the responsibility for the violence. What is important is to take appropriate action,” Nikitiadis said.