Greece suspends basketball federation funding amid match-fixing probe
Greece has suspended state funding to the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) and ordered extensive financial audits amid an investigation into alleged bribery and match-fixing involving federation president Vangelis Liolios and five other suspects.
Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis ordered the temporary suspension of legally mandated subsidies and requested an extraordinary financial and administrative audit covering 2024, 2025 and 2026, according to a ministry statement.
The General Directorate of Financial Audits under the Ministry of National Economy and Finance will conduct the audit, while the National Transparency Authority will carry out a separate review.
The ministry said match manipulation could lead to financial penalties for sports organizations, as well as criminal and disciplinary sanctions, including restrictions on funding allocated through gambling revenues.
Six arrested in alleged bribery scheme
Greek police said six people were arrested under judicial warrants in an investigation into suspected bribery and unlawful interference in basketball matches.
Five suspects were detained during coordinated operations in Attica, Achaea and Katerini, while a sixth voluntarily appeared at police headquarters and was arrested.
Authorities seized €931,463 in cash, 14 mobile phones, six laptops and other electronic devices during searches of the suspects’ homes.
According to Greek media reports citing witness testimony, investigators are examining five alleged bribery incidents involving payments to referees. Some reported allegations involve payments of €5,000.
Investigators are also examining messages allegedly containing advance information about referee appointments and whether officials were aware of arrangements to influence matches.
The case could involve approximately 50 games played between 2016 and 2026, spanning professional, youth and school competitions.
Federation president denies wrongdoing
Liolios has denied wrongdoing and was granted additional time to prepare his defense. He was expected to appear before an investigating magistrate on Oct. 25 alongside businessman Giorgos Mavraganis.
Former referee Petros Papapetrou was scheduled to present his defense on Oct. 23, while three other defendants, including EuroLeague referee Vasiliki Tsaroucha, were expected to appear on Oct. 26.
Papapetrou has also denied wrongdoing and said he could account for the €820,000 reportedly found at his home during a police search.
A witness reportedly alleged that Liolios was aware of the suspected arrangements, a claim the federation president denies. The allegations remain subject to judicial examination.
Greek basketball legend Panagiotis Giannakis has expressed his intention to testify in the case and may formally join the proceedings in support of the prosecution, his lawyer said Friday.
The 67-year-old former player and coach, widely known as “The Dragon,” is expected to address the allegations on Oct. 26 after reviewing the case file.
Giannakis’s name appears in witness testimony concerning a March 2018 game between Faros and Aris, when he was coaching Aris and was ejected after receiving two technical fouls. A witness alleged that the refereeing decisions during the match were deliberate.
His lawyer, Andreas Mitsainas, said Giannakis wanted to clarify the allegations and help establish the facts.
“This whole situation is a dark cloud over Greek basketball,” Mitsainas said.
The investigation has placed the country’s basketball administration and refereeing system under scrutiny as authorities examine the alleged manipulation of matches and the financial relationships surrounding the sport.
Source:AA
