The arrest of Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) President Vangelis Liolios and the serious match-fixing case allegations involving basketball and former referees have triggered strong reactions across the local basketball community.
Prosecutors had been investigating the case for some time, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants for six people and a rapid succession of developments.
A prosecutor’s investigation conducted in absolute secrecy
The investigation, conducted in strict secrecy by sports prosecutor Apostolos Grammenos, reportedly began with complaints made not by teams but by individuals, many of them anonymously.
Following an examination of the complaints, witness testimony and documents supported the allegations of match-fixing and led to the issuance of warrants for six people. They reportedly include former referees, a chief referee and refereeing adviser, a businessman and former athlete, as well as Liolios.
Prosecutions, charges
According to reports, the six are facing charges, depending on their alleged roles, of active and passive bribery under sports legislation. Sources familiar with the case say it concerns suspected match-fixing in Greece’s top basketball division and other leagues over at least the past five years. The case file reportedly includes messages exchanged by sports officials, as well as witness statements and complaints submitted to the sports prosecutor.
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Searches reportedly uncovered large sums of money in the possession of people implicated in the case that could not be adequately explained. Following the initiation of criminal proceedings, the case file was forwarded to an investigating magistrate, before whom the accused are due to appear on Thursday to provide explanations.
Olympiacos and Panathinaikos not implicated
It is worth noting that major clubs, including Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, are not implicated in the case, either as complainants or as parties accused of wrongdoing. The investigation remains fully active, and the competent authorities have released very limited information.
Apart from EOK President Liolios, the arrest warrants reportedly concern referees and a businessman who is a former athlete. Their names have not been officially made public, reportedly to preserve the confidentiality of the investigation.
Key Testimony that generated a chain of events
According to reports, the prosecutorial investigation was triggered by a complaint filed in April by Maroussi BC concerning the operation of the Hellenic Basketball Federation and its president, Vangelis Liolios.
The complaint was followed by a systematic investigation involving witness interviews. Two witnesses were considered particularly significant and reportedly set off a chain of developments in the prosecutorial inquiry. They are said to have described first-hand knowledge of alleged match-fixing involving people who received bribes. Their disclosures reportedly resulted in more favorable treatment in the criminal proceedings.
The case file reportedly contains messages and other material that allegedly point to match-fixing across multiple levels of basketball, from youth and school competitions to the top division, covering the period from 2016 to 2026.
The same reports indicate that approximately 50 games are being examined, including one played abroad. During the investigation, a large sum of money, reportedly approaching 800,000 euros, was also found in the possession of a person who was arrested. The money has reportedly not been adequately accounted for.
The federation statement
The EOK board of directors held an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday to brief members on the ongoing legal proceedings concerning Greek pro basketball.
“The case will be followed continuously through official announcements and procedures,” the federation said.