# Greek football refereeing controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greek-referee-tasos-sidiropoulos-retirement > Updated: 2026-08-01T16:24:32.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 12. In early June 2024 veteran referee Tasos Sidiropoulos gave a candid interview about his 17‑year career, highlighted VAR disputes and urged greater transparency. He retired a few days later, thanking the Greek Football Federation, FIFA and UEFA. Subsequent reports shifted to systemic VAR problems, with the refereeing committee defending a three‑official panel amid accusations of missed penalties and bias. In June 2026 Sidiropoulos reiterated his intention to continue officiating until Christmas, criticising foreign referee dominance and low domestic pay, and urging merit‑based development pathways. Greece then celebrated a record 39 medals at the Balkan Athletics Championships in Volos. UEFA Refereeing Committee chair Roberto Rosetti, speaking at a VAR launch in Athens, voiced strong support for Greek referees, highlighted several officials, and announced mentorship programmes and a revised communication schedule. On 5 July 2026 FA president Angelos Lanoue reconsidered Rosetti’s proposal for a monthly tele‑review of disputed phases, fearing a “two‑tier” judgment system. On 10 July a plan was submitted to staff the five major Super League derbies with Greek referees, assisted by foreign VAR officials, with performance monitoring throughout the season. International referee Vasilis Fotias, on 21 July, said the Central Refereeing Committee’s frequent changes had been valuable for training, affirmed enough Greek referees were ready for demanding derby matches and supported a proposal to evaluate officials. Also on 21 July, the Hellenic Football Federation scheduled a meeting for 29 July to decide whether Greek referees would officiate upcoming Super League derbies while retaining foreign VAR officials, a move backed by President Makis Gagkatzis. The same day AEK announced its tentative European squad ahead of a Conference League qualifier. On 7 June 2026 Sidiropoulos gave an extensive interview, revisiting high‑profile VAR incidents and calling for equal treatment and accountability. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-01: Greek Football Federation postpones meeting on returning Greek referees to Super League derbies EPO postponed its July meeting on a plan to bring back Greek referees for Super League derbies with foreign VAR, citing a need for clubs to evaluate data; the move drew criticism over transparency. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-football-federation-delays-decision-on-referees-for-super-league-derbies ### 2026-07-24: Paolo Valeri warns of corruption and intimidation in Greek football refereeing Italian ex‑referee Paolo Valeri, deputy head of Greece’s refereeing body, says Greek officials face corruption, threats and media pressure from major clubs while overseeing VAR reforms. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paolo-valeri-warns-of-corruption-and-intimidation-in-greek-football-refereeing ### 2026-07-21: Greek football sets AEK European squad and Super League referee decisions AEK will finalise its Conference League squad, including a decision on Nicolás Anderégen, while the Greek federation prepares to decide on Greek referees and foreign VAR officials for upcoming Super League der‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-football-sets-aek-european-squad-and-super-league-referee-decisions ### 2026-07-21: Greek referee Vasilis Fotias says officials are ready for Super League derbies Greek referee Vasilis Fotias says the KED’s training and a sufficient referee pool prepare Greece’s officials for upcoming Super League derby matches. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-referee-vasilis-fotias-says-officials-are-ready-for-super-league-derbies ### 2026-07-10: Greek Super League to use domestic referees in derby games Greek Super League plan calls for Greek referees in the five club derbies, supported by foreign VARs, with performance reviews and a decision due by late July. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-super-league-to-use-domestic-referees-in-derby-games ### 2026-07-05: Greek FA chief Lanoue considers Rosetti's monthly referee review plan Greek FA president Lanoue re‑examines Roberto Rosetti’s proposal for a monthly tele‑review of disputed match incidents after previously suspending such reviews. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-fa-chief-lanoue-considers-rosettis-monthly-referee-review-plan ### 2026-06-26: UEFA Referee Chief Rosetti supports Greek referees at Athens VAR launch UEFA Refereeing Committee head Roberto Rosetti, speaking at a VAR launch in Athens, praised Stefano Lanuà and backed Greek referees, urging their return to top‑level matches and suggesting better media brief ‑ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uefa-referee-chief-rosetti-supports-greek-referees-at-athens-var-launch ### 2026-06-24: Greek sports sees referee controversy and athletics medal surge Greek referee Tasos Sidiroplous calls for meritocracy while Greece tops the Balkan Athletics Championships with a record 39 medals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-sports-sees-referee-controversy-and-athletics-medal-surge ### 2026-06-20: Greek football VAR system under KED criticised for staffing failures Greek KED head Paulo Vale defends a three‑referee VAR panel despite criticism of missed penalties and alleged bias in the Super League. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-football-federations-var-system-accused-of-bias-and-dysfunction ### 2026-06-09: Referee Tasos Sidiroploulos Retires After International Career Greek referee Tasos Sidiroploulos retires after a long domestic and international career, thanking the federation, family and colleagues. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-referee-tasos-sidiroppoulos-retires-after-international-career ### 2026-06-09: Greek referee Tasos Sidiroploulos retires after 17‑year top‑flight career Greek referee Tasos Sidiroploulos retires after 17 years, citing 221 Super League matches and thanks to the Greek FA, FIFA and UEFA. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-referee-tasos-sidiroploulos-retires-after-17year-topflight-career ### 2026-06-07: Greek referee Tasos Sidiropoulos reflects on career and disputed VAR calls Greek referee Tasos Sidiropoulos discussed his 17‑year Super League career, background, and views on contentious VAR decisions in recent PAOK‑AEK, AEK‑Aris and Panathinaikos‑Asteras matches. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-referee-tasos-sidiropoulos-reflects-on-career-and-disputed-var-calls --- Cite as: Greek football refereeing controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greek-referee-tasos-sidiropoulos-retirement