George Bantis: “When football players speak publicly about mental health issues, they help those in a similar position to manage it”

George Bantis
Former goalkeeper, president of the Board of Directors of the Panhellenic Association of Paid Footballers and Women (PSAPP). 

Dimitris Rapidis
Grants Officer & Political Researcher - ETERON

There are many topics that PSAPP deals with, especially since you took over in 2019. I will start with the first: Racism and football, with Andreas Tetei, ambassador against racism. What is your strategy here? How do you want to approach this specific issue?

Unfortunately, racism and all kinds of discrimination are phenomena that do not originate from football, but are channeled into football. No one became a racist in the stadiums, but there are some who, through sports, spread their reprehensible views and perceptions. We do not want racists in sports venues and if they are isolated there, then they will gradually disappear from our society at large. Through the power and recognition that involvement in football offers us, we try to make everyone understand that football and racism are two incompatible concepts. We go to schools, we talk to the children who are ‘tomorrow’ and are now shaping their perceptions, while the most important thing of all is that with our actions inside and outside the playing fields we want to send the ‘message’ that nothing separates us. The problem is deeper, it stems from our society and is channeled into the sports fields. If our young people do not fall into the trap set by some, who convey to them corresponding perceptions, then the future will be much better. Racism is an illness that must be taken out of the social body. 

Many athletes are starting to speak openly about issues that fall within the field of mental health. About the great pressure they receive and feel. One of the examples is Tasos Bakasetas, the captain of Greece’s national football team. What is the position of PSAPP on this crucial issue? How does it support and support the athletes?

Until recently, it was taboo for someone to speak publicly about such issues. The concept of mental health did not exist in the form that we know it today, and let’s be realistic, many people would automatically think… somehow, to put it elegantly, that there was a lack of empathy if they found out that their neighbor was visiting a psychologist. Now, however, times have changed and we are happy as footballers to help with this. When Tasos and many other footballers who are idols and well-known in our field speak publicly about such issues, they also help those in a similar position to both manage it and express themselves without the fear of being criticized. PSAPP is not only in favor of making similar situations public, as this will eliminate any relevant prejudice, but also stands by their colleagues. We have created a corresponding service that is offered free of charge to our members and any footballer who wishes to do so can turn to it.

Football is a heavy industry and footballers, especially those of the big teams, compete in tens of matches each season. Is there a way to change this and introduce rules that protect athletes as employees?

For many years, there have been continuous and many discussions around this specific issue, through which many parameters arise. The competitions are constantly increasing their matches, as the main income for teams at all levels is television rights, so the more ‘product’ you sell, i.e. matches, the more money you make. Many times it is not only the length of the season that is long, but there is also an issue with the continuous and close matches, every 3-4 days. You see, it’s not just the 1.5 to 2 hours that a football match lasts, but also the travel that is often time-consuming and extremely burdensome. All of the above increases the chances of injuries, while many times we do not have time to recover properly. There is still nothing tangible, since relevant consultations are taking place with the federations. However, as footballers, we are pushing, through FIFPRO, which is our global association, for changes to occur.

What is the current situation in Super League 2? What are the conditions facing the footballers?

In the summer of 2023, we created a three-episode documentary about the category with the characteristic title “CHAOS”, with the aim of highlighting all the shortcomings in the category. At that time, we did not even know when the championship would start, apart from the serious financial problems faced by the footballers competing in it. The situation was dramatic. As PSAPP, we do not want to be complacent and we recognize that the situation has recently improved, at all levels. Mainly organizational. However, specific problems remain, as every year there are teams that are unable to meet the financial obligations they undertake, which results in our colleagues losing their accrued earnings and facing livelihood problems. The phenomenon has been mitigated, but has not been eliminated. This is a step forward. But there is still much to be done. For example, several stadiums hide traps for our physical integrity. Yes, there is no longer such a chaotic situation, however, in many issues Super League 2 falls short of Super League 1 and the big problem lies in the financial aspect. The vast majority of legal cases undertaken by the PSAPP legal department concern footballers playing in Super League 2.

We see great talents who have come out of the academies of some teams, but with few exceptions, most of them do not reach the men’s team. Why is this happening?

I like to be optimistic and I firmly believe that the image of our National Team, where all these young kids – along with coach Ivan Jovanovic – make us proud, will reverse the climate that was created in the past where, to put it somewhat subtly, the Greek footballer was… neglected and treated with suspicion. At the same time, he was and still is in some cases the ‘easy target’. In 2004 we won the EURO, all the great successes abroad of the teams had the Greek footballer as the protagonist, but until recently and for a long time he was on the sidelines. Now, however, everyone is once again aware of his talent and value. Many of our compatriots are excelling in big clubs abroad and our National Team is once again a point of reference. The Greek footballer has talent and I am convinced that the old perceptions will be eliminated. That’s how I want to see the glass. Half full that is constantly filling up even more. Indeed, in recent years the value of the Greek footballer has been increasingly recognized, while it would also help if we adopted a measure that would concern the securing of a minimum number of native players who would play in each professional team. The rule was that our talents would either be lost or go abroad, now I believe that more and more will staff the teams here.

In our recent report at the ETERON Institute on women’s football, 58.4% of female fans believe that stadiums, as facilities, are not designed to be friendly towards them. What is your opinion on this issue?

I understand what they mean. For example, in many there are no properly designed toilets and they generally lack infrastructure and facilities. Abroad, the stadium is not just a place where you go, watch a game for 1.5-2 hours and leave. It is a point of reference, where you spend a large part of your day. Unfortunately, in Greece there is a lack of modern facilities in general.

Why don’t women’s football teams compete in official games in the same stadium as men’s teams?

It is a continuation of what I told you above. There are few stadiums and thus limited spaces arise. At the same time, this is also because women’s football has not yet become a ‘habit’ in our perception. But over time, I believe that there will be complete assimilation, in all areas.

What would you say are the three biggest problems facing Greek football today and what are the three most important prospects that are opening up?

Difficult question. In random order in the first part, not hierarchical, I would say 1) toxic atmosphere and mentality in general, 2) financial problems in the categories other than Super League 1 and 3) lack of patience and pressure for immediate results. In the second and in similar order I would say 1) the current squad of our National team that is able to change the data for the Greek footballer, 2) the fact that players are no longer seen based on the stereotype that they simply kick a ball and often take a stand on key issues in our society and 3) the competitive championships that increase interest.