Greek basketball match-fixing case: referee jailed, two under house arrest
A Greek basketball match-fixing investigation has led to the detention of a senior referee and the placement of two other officials under house arrest, while former Hellenic Basketball Federation president Vangelis Liolios has denied all 49 charges against him.
Chief referee Ilias Koromilas was remanded in custody following lengthy proceedings on Monday. Referee Vasso Tsarouha and former referee Tasos Piloidis were placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring. All three were also barred from involvement in basketball.
The decisions came after approximately 10 hours of questioning before an investigating magistrate. All three defendants denied wrongdoing.
Liolios rejects allegations
Liolios, who resigned as federation president days before the proceedings, has also been remanded in custody pending trial, alongside his close associate Giorgos Mavraganis, in connection with corruption and alleged match-fixing.
In a written submission, Liolios denied any involvement in the alleged offences, arguing that he had been targeted by blackmail and an organized effort to damage his personal and professional reputation.
He claimed the case was intended to force him out of the federation’s leadership and harm his business interests and public standing.
Referees deny wrongdoing
Koromilas was questioned over nine alleged acts of bribery involving referees and basketball officials. He denied having any role in the selection, appointment or replacement of referees, arguing that the accusations relied largely on testimony from two individuals.
Tsarouha was linked in witness statements to 13 games played between 2018 and 2026. She reportedly told investigators that she had not officiated some of the matches cited in the allegations.
Piloidis, meanwhile, filed a criminal complaint against a key witness, a former team owner, accusing him of making false allegations. He denied receiving money or facing disciplinary action during his career.
Investigation continues
The latest decisions concern the final three of six defendants in the case. A temporary detention warrant issued for Liolios reportedly cites serious indications of guilt.
The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the defendants have denied wrongdoing.
Source: Kathimerini
