Greece abolishes paper tickets for football matches

(Patria) - Greek authorities yesterday banned the use of paper tickets for football matches as part of efforts to curb violence on football fields.

According to the new rules, fans will be allowed to enter stadiums using QR codes on their mobile phones, issued by the government.

For almost two months, stadiums in Greece have been closed to fans following the death of a police officer who was hit by a flare during riots in Athens in December.

Starting Tuesday, fans will have to buy tickets online and verify their purchase using the state application used for paying taxes and accessing online state services.

Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastregiou said that the phase of complete abolition of paper tickets will last for a month. The exception, he said, will be minors.

- The goal is also to free the Greek police from the need to provide hundreds of police officers for each match. Police will not be needed at stadium entrances - added Papastregiou.

He points out that 10,000 out of the current 80,000 season ticket holders have already switched to the new electronic system.